jesus's birthday

there is usually a good deal of discussion at this time of year about why we celebrate jesus's birthday on december 25. i think we all pretty well know by now that that is a conventional date and not necessarily his real birthday. that need not be an occasion for discounting whether or not he ever really lived or whether or not he really is who he is reputed to have said he is. those are matters of individual faith and belief. but the fact that it is not necessarily his actual birthday is not a good reason to discount church authority altogether nor traditional christian belief. for those of us who still believe, it is a profound occasion for celebration. for non-believers it is just what it is...a winter festival that one may or may not take great pleasure in. it's a personal decision not to be dictated by mere whim or inadequate reasoning.