WOODLAND HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH * 5920 SHOUP AVENUE * 818-340-5613
*PLEASE JOIN US SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM FOR WORSHIP SERVICE*
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