Looking for Christmas Bible verses for a card, a family devotion, or a quiet moment by the tree? Here are 40 Scriptures that tell the story of Christmas, from the prophecies that promised a Savior to the angels' song over Bethlehem and the hope, peace, and joy His birth brings. All verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV).
Prophecies of the Savior's Birth
Centuries before Bethlehem, God promised a Child who would bring light, peace, and salvation.
1. Isaiah 7:14
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
2. Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Perhaps the most beloved Christmas prophecy. Every name tells us who the baby in the manger really is.
3. Isaiah 9:2
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."
4. Micah 5:2
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
God chose a little town for the greatest birth in history.
5. Isaiah 11:1
"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."
6. Jeremiah 23:5
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."
7. Isaiah 40:5
"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
8. Numbers 24:17
"...there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel..."
An ancient promise of a Star, fulfilled when the wise men followed one to Bethlehem.
The Christmas Story in Scripture
Read these in order for a simple Christmas Eve reading of the nativity.
9. Luke 1:30–31
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
10. Luke 1:35
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
11. Luke 1:46–47
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
The first Christmas song was Mary's.
12. Matthew 1:21
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
13. Matthew 1:23
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
God with us. In two words, the whole meaning of Christmas.
14. Luke 2:7
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
15. Luke 2:10–11
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
The good news came first to shepherds in a field, ordinary people on an ordinary night.
16. Luke 2:13–14
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
17. Luke 2:19
"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
In the rush of the season, Mary's example is a gift: slow down, and ponder.
18. Matthew 2:2
"Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
19. Matthew 2:10–11
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
The first Christmas gifts were given to Jesus, in worship.
20. Luke 2:20
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
The Meaning of Christmas
Why did the Son of God come as a baby? These verses answer that question.
21. John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
22. John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Christmas is the moment God gave His Son. John 3:16 tells us why.
23. John 1:4–5
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
24. Galatians 4:4–5
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
25. 2 Corinthians 9:15
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
26. 1 John 4:9
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."
27. Philippians 2:6–7
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."
The King of heaven chose a manger. That is the humility at the center of Christmas.
28. Titus 2:11
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
29. John 8:12
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
30. 1 Timothy 1:15
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
Christmas Verses About Hope, Peace, and Joy
31. Romans 15:13
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
A perfect blessing to write inside a Christmas card.
32. John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
33. Isaiah 26:3
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
34. Psalm 98:4
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."
This psalm inspired Isaac Watts' carol "Joy to the World."
35. Luke 1:78–79
"Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
36. Isaiah 52:7
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
37. Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
38. Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
39. Isaiah 60:1
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee."
40. Psalm 96:11
"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof."
Short Christmas Bible Verses for Cards
Need just a line or two? These fit easily inside a Christmas card or on a gift tag:
- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Isaiah 9:6
- "...they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23
- "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14
- "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
- "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
- "Arise, shine; for thy light is come." Isaiah 60:1
- "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." Romans 15:13
Ways to Keep Christ at the Center This Christmas
- Advent readings: read verses 1–20 in order over the days leading up to Christmas, from the prophecies to the shepherds.
- Christmas Eve: read Luke 2:1–20 aloud before opening gifts.
- A gift that lasts: a framed nativity or Scripture canvas is a gift your family will see every Christmas, and every day in between. Browse our narrative Christian wall art and Bible verse wall art.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Christmas Bible verse?
Luke 2:10–11, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord," and Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given," are among the most widely read Christmas verses. John 3:16 is also a favorite because it explains why God gave His Son.
Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?
The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew 1:18–2:12 and Luke 1:26–2:20. Luke tells the story of Mary, the shepherds, and the angels, while Matthew tells of Joseph and the wise men.
What is a good Bible verse for a Christmas card?
Short verses work best: Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," Matthew 1:23, "God with us," or 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
What does Immanuel mean?
Immanuel (or Emmanuel) means "God with us." Matthew 1:23 explains the name directly, quoting the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.
Which Bible translation are these verses from?
All verses in this article are quoted from the King James Version (KJV).
Celebrating Thanksgiving first? Read 30 Thanksgiving Bible Verses to Share at Your Table. And if you are shopping for Christmas gifts, see our best-selling Christian wall art, framed in solid wood, ready to hang, and shipped free within the United States.