Kevin Cushing

Kevin was a pastor’s kid, and quickly came to understand that loving God was the most important choice he could make in his life. As he got older he came to appreciate that a relationship with Jesus Christ was not only spiritually fulfilling, but intellectually and emotionally satisfying as well. Professionally, Kevin started off acting on stage and in media, and he wrote and directed some Christian films and documentaries when he was a young man.  He spent many years in motion picture and television development, and then as a marketing executive at a successful dotcom. Throughout his career, Kevin has maintained a close relationship and love for the local church and has been a sought-after speaker as well as writer of devotions and dramatic material used in worship.

A MESSAGE FROM KEVIN

A CAROL OF THE HILLS A year ago at Christmas time I shared how much I love Christmas music, and how I collected unusual Christmas songs or unconventional or notable versions of popular Christmas carols.  My current Christmas playlist that I have on Spotify is over 3 hours long and includes almost none of the usual recordings that you hear played on the radio at Christmas.  (I do have Bing Crosby’s White Christmas on that playlist, but besides that, most of the selections would surprise you!) The word “carol” used to mean any popular hymn or joyful song—it was not exclusively associated with Christmas.  But Christmas and music have an inseparable link that goes all the way back to the Bible.  The gospel writer Luke records no less than 4 songs in the first two chapters of his book, all associated with our Lord’s birth.  Christmas is a time of beauty, joy, celebration and a warming of the heart, and you just can’t have those things without music. This month, in the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we are looking at the four Christmas songs in Luke.  The old Latin Vulgate version of the Bible gave those songs very impressive names—The Magnificat, the Benedictus, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, and the Nunc Dimittis.  (That last one is my favorite title; it’s just so fun to say!) And of course in addition to lots of Christmas music in our Sunday services, we have some other great times of celebration planned around the holiday.  On Saturday, December 9th, at 7pm we are having a Christmas dessert and carol sing, followed by a screening of my Christian film, “Heavensent.”  On Sunday December 24th at 6pm we are having our traditional Christmas Eve service around the Christmas tree, featuring songs, Scripture and a short message that will help you keep Christ at the center of your Christmas. As usual, our weekly Bible Study meets at 9am Sundays in Room 10.  We are wrapping up our survey of the gospel of Luke, which has been so rich.  It’s a good time to join the Bible study as we will embark on a new book to study in just a few weeks.  I love the fellowship and camaraderie of our group.  There is almost a glow that comes off people’s faces when we finish each week, and I can tell that God is warming people’s hearts with the light of his Word. Getting back to music however, I invite you to challenge me.  Name a favorite carol or Christmas song, and I will tell you whose version I think is the best!  Like did you know that Christina Aguilera has one of the best versions of Silent Night?  Or that a Broadway singer named Linda Eder has a version of Do You Hear What I Hear that is more stirring possibly than Whitney Houston?  Who would have thought that Lou Rawls might have the best Little Drummer Boy? Okay now don’t get me started… I’ll see you in church! Kevin