Barnabas stared silently at his camera. Sighing, he could not help but found himself pondering over his role again - The art of photography, looked upon most pessimistically, is afterall the most depressing of all of the other translators. The artist could create. The actor could dramatise. The writer could show. But the photographer... he was only one that simply translated the image that was seen onto a paper. No tale of creativity behind it.

But at least, Barnabas comforted himself - it was the only translator that conveyed the truth. Yes, although the tilts and adjustments tried to capture the subject in its best glory, the image taken was still the a real copy of the original. A fake, yes. But.. the real-lest. Barnabas sighed again as he felt the irony of this comfort. Still, he know he had that power. He can translate the truth... or at least, he is supposed to translate the truth.

Shaking his head, he looked around and adjusted his stand, narrowing his thoughts on the necessary assignment - a photograph that showed the true meaning of Christmas. He turned to face the front of the stand, and smiled at what he saw in front of himself - Baby Jesus in a manger.

"Perfect picture."

The digital camera beeped as Barnabas tapped the swtich, standing behind the camera, he zoomed the focus to clarity, turned on the flash and...

"Ho Ho Ho! How can you take a picture of Christmas without me?"

Alarmed at the voice, Barnabas spun around and was face to face with Santa Claus.

"Christmas is all about presents- Be it the innocent children that wants a figure to represent this season. Be it the shop-owners that know all about commercial value of this period. Be it the warmth that can happen when we attach a spirit of giving for the good of mankind to this time. All these elements are needed for mankind's christmas! Yes, giving gifts! The idealistic can see it as man's necessary generousity, and those politically correct will take it as the necessary courtesy. Soo... I shall stand here, next to the manger."

Barnabas narrowed his eyes and hesistated on voicing his scepticism to the symbol of 'giving' just next to the manger. Can they ever stand, side by side?

Shruging it off, Barnabas readied himself again, "Okay.. look here Santa. 1... 2..."

"Wait... Wait! How can you take a picture of Christmas without us?"

A group of carol singers showed up and sang the first stanza of "Away in a Manger".

"You see, Christmas is all above singing songs. How can the season be right without the touch of music? Mankind loves performances and song, and we have to give them that necessary entertainment! Be it to be the one on the stage to impress, or the one on the other side making merry - Christmas needs us!"

With that the Carol singers jumped behind Santa Claus.

Frowning, Barnabas begun again, "Okaaay. Ready up guys... 1... 2..."

"Wait! Wait for me! How can you take a picture of Christmas without me?"

A lady carrying a lot of shopping bags walked towards the manger and stood beside it too, "Christmas is all about buying things. People just love walking in the crowds, using their money in the malls and feeling the festive celebrations! Come on!"

"Okay. Lets go again, 1... 2..."

"WAIT!"

This time, it was a cook. Clutching onto her turkey, she exclaimed, "Christmas is all about food! You cannot forget the lovely necessaries that is needed for this festivity. People would want to feel their stomachs and celebrate with each other!"

"Alright. Fine! Get in. 1... 2..."

"Waitttt!" A family stormed into the place - a father, a mother, and a little girl in tow. The father declared, "Christmas is all about spending quality time with the family. It being a holiday, the family comes back into the picture. With the year coming to a close as well, it becomes the perfect time to reflect and think back upon how much we have not thought of each other, and resolve to have better relationships the next year!"

"Right. So... um.."

With the family in the picture, the scene suddenly became very crowded. There was pushing and yelling, as if all the elements were trying to outshine each other as which was the better representative of Christmas. Each gave their own speeches of how they captured the essence of Christmas from the angles of the young to the old, the consumer to the organisations, the happy to the poor...

"SLIENCE!"

Everyone stopped and turned to look at Santa.

"This manger is taking up too much space! We need to shift it away!"

Within seconds, everyone grabbed hold of the manger and threw it out of view.

"Hey, Cameraman! We're ready now."

Barnabas blinked a few times and saw that the crowd of people were in their positions.

"Good. Lets go now.. 1... 2... "

Three.

The best speeches ever made, are probaly those done in heart.
A sincere, truthful telling of the simplest conception can be the most profound piece of conveyance one can make to another. While everyone grows up to learn to construct speech in all its style and impact, and to form sentences in their political correctness with appeal - no politician, debator or professor will ever defeat the words that will proceed from the mouth of 7 year olds =)

While the title hints very strongly at a theological article and some apologetics to the matter, the issue I'm writing about here is actually much simpler. I have a reason behind not wanting to help girls carry their bags, not to give up seats for them - basically, to discharge the 'gentlemanly behaviour' unto them, unless I see a situation when the girl is in a need of such a gesture. I shall answer why, at the end of this entry.

Laws alone are unable to assess a key factor in the behaviour of a subject - the subject's intentions and motives. The severity of a crime is considered without associating the motives of the crime to the action, but eviler motives and more poisonous intentions would probaly increase the offence of it. Still, if we were to make such factors a consideration, the court will be in disorder from the value judgements that it will be going into. With the law as the attempted basis of morality, society is sercure enough to know that a certain degree of justice will be served. Mankind is more or less satisfied by such a justice.

But on matters that concern the principles, the morales and the observations - issues that are not big enough to demand its own organised institution, the process is not that detailed. Nor is it that obvious. Most of the time, its probaly just a response, not a concious effort to make a judgement. And thus, we face much more disorder then a court. Its only that the factors of motives and intentions are now considered thats the problem - its more of that motives and intentions are interpreted. And the set of laws that lie in that person's heart, transcend beyond a function of appeasing the masses. In fact, it has no such desire. The laws are crafted to serve his purposes and philosophy. Therefore, the basis is destroyed. A community of diversity only intensifies this problem.

It is because that man does not have the perfect perception of judgement that he has no choice but to live by impressions. A vision that can pierce all layers to reveal the truth is impossible, even if one wishes to slice up his own position and behaviour. Everyone, in same way or another knows this - the angst calls them facades. The thinkers muse over people's masks. Society understands the needed courtesy before each man. I have broken the ice a couple of times by acknowledging and laughing along with the person that we have to go through some small talk first before actually conversing.

Knowledge of the defense of impressions changes the social situation immediately - its not how you are like. Its how you are percieved to be. And instead of building character and values, one can execute behaviours and gestures. The irony is that the very element behind what started this disorder is forsaken - Sincerity. It is difficult for mankind give judgement in truth, and due to its nature, it probaly will be dificult for it to gain such an absolute in return. The ease by which someone can create an impression (be it conciously or unconciously) is based upon the careless judgement we give. There is an attachement to certain gestures to certain traits, and what I suggest, is that we rethink these gestures to mean something with sincerity.

And thus ladies, the reason why I do not wish to help carry your bags is not because I do not appreciate your character, nor is it because I am lazy, nor is it because I do not want to help.
Its simply because - I see no need to impress you.

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