Contextual topic guide
Christmas Bible Verses
Bible verses about the birth of Jesus Christ and the Christmas story.
The Christmas story is told in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, and the Gospels connect it with promises in Isaiah and Micah. These verses follow that story in order, from prophecy to the manger to the wise men, with a short note on where each one sits.
The Christmas story, verse by verse
Christmas prophecies from the Old Testament
Passages the Gospels connect with the birth of Jesus.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah's sign to King Ahaz; Matthew 1:23 quotes it.
“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.”
Light for people walking in darkness.
“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.”
The child born and the names he is given.
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
The kingdom on the throne of David.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”
A shoot from the stump of Jesse, David's father.
“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.”
A righteous Branch raised up for David.
“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.”
Bethlehem named; the chief priests cite it to Herod in Matthew 2.
The angel's announcement to Mary and Joseph
Luke tells it from Mary's side, Matthew from Joseph's.
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”
Gabriel tells Mary in Nazareth not to be afraid.
“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
The name is given before the birth.
“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.”
Gabriel answers Mary's question.
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
The angel's words to Mary.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
Mary's reply.
“And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
From Mary's song, the Magnificat.
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
The angel speaks to Joseph in a dream.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
The meaning of the name Jesus.
“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.”
Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14.
The Christmas story in Luke 2
The verses most often read at Christmas services, in order.
“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.”
The birth in Bethlehem and the manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
The angel speaks to shepherds in the fields at night.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
The announcement itself.
“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
The sign the shepherds are given.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The song of the heavenly host.
“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
Mary's response to everything that happened.
“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 shepherds go back praising God.
The wise men and the star
From Matthew 2. The visit is not dated in the text; it took place in a house.
“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.”
The question the wise men ask in Jerusalem.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
Their joy when the star appears again.
“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 gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Christmas verses about why Jesus came
Short verses for cards and reflection.
“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.”
John's way of telling the Christmas story, without a manger.
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Light shining in the darkness.
“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.”
God so loved the world.
“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.”
Why the Son was sent.
“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.”
Paul's summary of why Christ came into the world.
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
A one-line thanksgiving for God's gift.
More Bible verses about christmas
Further verses from this topic's original selection.
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,”
Mary's song of praise
Two Gospels, two angles
Luke tells the story from Mary's side, with Gabriel's visit, the journey to Bethlehem and the shepherds. Matthew tells it from Joseph's side, with his dream, the wise men and the flight to Egypt. Reading both gives the fuller picture.
What the text does and does not say
Matthew does not say how many wise men came; the number three comes from the three gifts. He also places their visit in a house, not at the manger. Reading in context helps separate the text from later tradition.
Questions about christmas
Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?
Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:20 tell the story of Jesus' birth. Luke 2:1-20 is the passage most often read at Christmas.
What is a good Bible verse for a Christmas card?
Luke 2:10-11, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14 and John 1:14 are popular choices because they are short and announce the meaning of Christmas.