Why are we celebrating?

Most of us are celebrating Christmas, whether with Santa Claus and presents or remembering that ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’. Maybe it’s a combination of both. I believe though, that even those of us who are recognizing Jesus’ birth right now aren’t even sure why we’re doing so. What difference does it make? Have we watered down the Gospel so much that we’re taking the incarnation of God as a man and using it as an excuse to act happy or even silly, just showing our ‘Christmas Spirit’? Why have we allowed this occasion to be a time to party, spend a bunch of money, be greedy and overeat? Have we honestly forgotten that He came to Earth to live as a man and then face Hell for us? Yes, that’s plenty of reason to be overjoyed, but wouldn’t it be appropriate to show more reverence?