How To Use This Reading Guide

A passage of scripture, prayer, or song is provided for each day of the week, Monday–Saturday, with Sunday as a day to reflect on the sermon. You may either read and sing these on your own, or have them read and sung to you by a member of our congregation. To access this content, please follow us on social media (www.facebook.com/cornerstonewla or @cornerstonewla  on Instagram). Lyrics for a second weekly song are also provided, and this can be sung each day of the week as well.

You may notice that some of the selected scripture passages feel more connected to the Christmas story than others. But all are intended to set your mind on the hope we have in Jesus. As you ponder the meaning of this Advent season, we encourage you to meditate each day on these three questions: 

1. What does this teach or remind us about what is true of God?
2. What does this teach or remind us about what is true of ourselves?
3. How does this encourage us to set our hope on Christ? This can be done alone or in community (as part of your community group, or with family, neighbors, roommates, or friends).

We recommend that you read the daily passage or prayer (or listen to the song), reflect on the three questions above, and then sing the weekly song. Some people also choose to light a candle to commemorate the time of Advent. For extra resources to guide your devotional time in this season, see the “Expanded Resources” section at the end, including sermons, albums, and books.

Merry Christmas!

Monday, November 30th

Isaiah 40: 1-8

God tells Isaiah to comfort his people with the promise that the way of the LORD will be prepared, and that the word of God will stand forever. 

Tuesday, December 1st

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses recognizing man’s deep need for God, and pleading for wisdom and the Lord’s return. 

Wednesday, December 2nd

Song: Joy to the World

Thursday, December 3rd

Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8 God keeps the promise that he made hundreds of years ago by sending John the Baptizer to prepare the way of the LORD. As that prophecy is being fulfilled, another prophecy is made that One will come who is able to baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

Friday, December 4th

1 Corinthians 2: 1-13

Paul proclaims the power of the Holy Spirit and the quality of wisdom that he provides. 

Friday, December 6th

Prayer: Spiritual Growth: 

Spiritual Growth, The Valley of Vision, p. 109

O THOU MOST HIGH,
In the way of thy appointment I am waiting for thee,
 My desire is to thy name,
 My mind to remembrance of thee.
I am a sinner, but not insensible of my state.
My iniquities are great and numberless,
 but thou art adequate to my relief,
 for thou art rich in mercy;
 the blood of thy Son can cleanse from all sin;
 the agency of thy Spirit can subdue my most powerful lusts.
Give me a tender, wakeful conscience
 that can smite and torment me when I sin.
May I be consistent in conversation and conduct,
 the same alone as in company,
 in prosperity and adversity,
 accepting all thy commandments as right,
 and hating every false way.
May I never be satisfied with my present spiritual progress,
 but to faith add virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness,
 brotherly kindness, charity.
May I never neglect
 what is necessary to constitute Christian character,
 and needful to complete it.
May I cultivate the expedient,
 develop the lovely, adorn the gospel,
 recommend the religion of Jesus,
 accommodate myself to thy providence.
Keep me from sinking or sinning in the evil day;
Help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth
 and use them on suitable occasions, so that
 its doctrines may inform,
 its warnings caution,
 its rules guide,
 its promises comfort me.

Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel!

Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh come, Thou Wisdom from on high
And order all things far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.