Perspective and emphasis

Something occurred to me today as I was thinking about the upcoming nativity.  Speaking in general terms, it seems that Protestants put a greater emphasis upon the birth of Christ, while the Roman Catholic lay greater emphasis upon the crucifixion (consider Mel Gibson's The Passion) but the Eastern Orthodox strongly emphasize the resurrection.
I'm not sure what it all means or if there are connections to be made, patterns to be seen or structure to it all.