HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two Hutchinson pastors say Christmas is ultimately about hope, reflection and the belief that God chose to enter a broken world rather than remain distant from it.
During a Christmas Eve conversation on the BW Morning Show, Andy Addis, pastor of CrossPoint Church, and Matt Stafford, pastor of First Congregational Church, reflected on the meaning of Christmas amid political division, global conflict and personal hardship.
Addis said Christmas serves as a reminder of the foundation of the Christian faith.
“For the church, it is a reminder of where we begin,” Addis said. “If Christ never came, so many things we hold central would not exist. It would be a completely different world.”
Stafford said the celebration of Christ’s birth cannot be separated from what Christians believe followed.
“We cannot separate his birth from his work on the cross and his resurrection,” Stafford said. “It represents God intervening in a fallen world.”
Both pastors acknowledged that many people view the current moment as uniquely difficult, but Stafford said history shows humanity has endured far worse.
“This is not the worst it has ever been,” Stafford said, pointing to periods such as the Civil War, World War II and the Great Depression. “We are living in remarkable times, even with our disagreements.”
The pastors said Christmas offers a counterpoint to fear and division by focusing on hope, which Addis said is often misunderstood.
“Biblically, hope is not a wish,” Addis said. “It is certainty. It is knowing the God in whom you believe.”
Stafford added that Christian hope is personal.
“Hope has a name,” he said. “His name is Jesus.”
The discussion also emphasized reflection during the Christmas season. Addis said familiarity with Scripture alone is not enough.
“They knew the prophecies, but they missed Jesus,” Addis said, referring to a passage from the Gospel of John. “It is not about how much you know, but how well you know him.”
Both pastors said the message of “God with us,” often expressed through the word Emmanuel, remains central to Christmas.
“God has never been absent from the world,” Stafford said. “But he has not always been welcomed. Christmas reminds us that we are not alone.”
Addis shared personal stories of marriage struggles and family health crises, saying those experiences shaped his understanding of hope during dark moments.
“Every dark moment feels like the end,” Addis said. “But when you look back, you see how many times God carried you through.”
The pastors invited the community to Christmas Eve services, noting that many churches also offer online options.
Stafford’s church will host a candlelight service at 6 p.m. at 3410 N. Plum St. CrossPoint Church will offer services at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. at 1410 E. 30th Ave.
“This season is about hope, peace, love and joy,” Stafford said. “That message matters now as much as ever.”