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, December 7th

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Isaiah conveys the words of the coming Messiah, providing a vision of restoration for God’s people to look forward to. 

Tuesday, December 8th

Psalm 85

In a time of distress, Israel remembers how God has restored them in the past, and prays for Him to do so again. 

Wednesday, December 9th

Song: Silent Night

Thursday, December 10th

Luke 1:46-55

After the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will bear the Son of God, Mary sings for joy at the provision of the Lord. 

Friday, December 11th

Titus 3:3-7

In his letter to Titus, Paul speaks to what we were and what we have become because of the coming of Jesus Christ. 

Saturday, December 12th

New Beginning, The Valley of Vision, p. 95

INCOMPREHENSIBLE, GREAT, AND GLORIOUS GOD,
I adore thee and abase myself.
I approach thee mindful that I am less than nothing,
 a creature worse than nothing.
My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze.
My secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance.
Enable me to remember that blood which cleanseth all sin,
 to believe in that grace which subdues all inquiries,
 to resign myself to that agency which can deliver me
 from the bondage of corruption
 into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Thou hast begun a good work in me
 and canst alone continue and complete it.
Give me an increasing conviction of my tendency to err,
 and of my exposure to sin.
Help me to feel more of the purifying, softening influence of
religion,
 its compassion, love, pity, courtesy,
 and employ me as thy instrument in blessing others.
Give me to distinguish
 between the mere form of godliness and its power,
 between life and a name to live,
 between guile and truth,
 between hypocrisy and a religion that will bear thy eye.
If I am not right, set me right, keep me right;
And may I at last come to thy house in peace.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side
Until morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to Heaven
To live with Thee there