The following is from the opinion page from this week's SNJ. It is by Stroud writer Rachel Beckett.

Christmas has changed since I was a child. It used to be brief and intense – a reward for weeks of anticipation. These days it starts much earlier with ubiquitous baubles and all-too-familiar canned music.

When the day finally comes, we’re not sure what serious meaning to draw from it. What’s missing?

It would be a bit trite to just say ‘the baby Jesus’. I think the answer is more subtle. Advent is missing. Contrast is missing.

A celebration is exciting because you have prepared for it meaningfully. Muslims understand this with Ramadan, a thoughtful time requiring great focus. Eid is the celebration of its successful completion.

We have so much to prepare for. Nothing less than the salvation of the world. The Christmas story has never been more meaningful.

Scientists have calculated that we have twelve years to avert a catastrophic collapse of natural systems. This calls for a time of preparation like the world has never known. Advent with royal icing, if you will.

Perhaps you’ve come across Extinction Rebellion, the annoying group of people who keep holding up the traffic in Stroud and shouting in supermarkets?

Well here’s a news flash - this motley group are trying to do us all a favour.

Have you noticed, the more snow that appears on Christmas baubles, the less floats down during the real winter? The more country scenes and cute little wild creatures that appear on Christmas cards, the fewer there are in reality?