Do we celebrate suffering?

Christmas is the daddy of all celebrations. Only at a wedding can I think of a greater celebration. Gift-giving, feasting, family travel, etc are only common this time of year. If your celebration is closely tied to Christmas as a faith holiday, then why all this celebrating? Do we feast because of the nativity story? The meaning of the story is God coming into our sin-filled earth to suffer a life and death he did not deserve. Is this something to bake special cookies for? I actually don't think so.

Matthew 17:12
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.

Acts 17:3
explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.

While it is certainly good for us, and shows the kindness of God, the suffering messiah doesn't cause me to plan a party. The suffering messiah is the only way our salvation has been earned for us. It is also a important story that we must tell each other. But it doesn't cause me celebrate. What does cause me to feast is the broader message of Advent, which should focus more on Jesus' coming as ruler.

Luke 1:31-33
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Jesus is coming - he is coming to topple the rulers of the earth and set up his own authority so God can live with us in a life without sin. No more crying, no more sickness, no more sadness, no more pain, no more death. This is something to celebrate. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.