Christmas Bible verses
Christmas can be the most joyful time of year, and for a lot of people, the loneliest or the most stretched. Whatever this season holds for you, these verses tell the reason it exists.
The Christmas story is told in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2, and promised centuries earlier by the prophets. Its heart is one line: God came near. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). The baby in the manger is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), born to bring good news of great joy for all people (Luke 2:10).
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A young couple with nowhere to stay
Mary and Joseph were not important people. They traveled to Bethlehem because a government told them to, Mary was about to give birth, and there was no room for them. Their son was laid in an animal’s feeding trough (Luke 2:7). The first people invited to see Him were shepherds working the night shift. If Christmas finds you overlooked, stretched or far from home, you are exactly the kind of person it was for.
Why it still matters
Christmas is not just a sweet story. It is the claim that the God who made everything stepped into His own creation as a child, to live the life we couldn’t and give His life for us. That is why the angels called it good news for all people.
What the Bible says
- 01
The child who would be called Mighty God.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 - 02
A sign: Immanuel.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 - 03
Born in Bethlehem.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2 - 04
Why His name is Jesus.
“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.””
Matthew 1:21 - 05
God with us.
““Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us” ).”
Matthew 1:23 - 06
Good news of great joy.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!”
Luke 2:10–11 - 07
Peace on earth.
““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!””
Luke 2:14 - 08
The Word became flesh.
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 - 09
At just the right time.
“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.”
Galatians 4:4–5 - 10
Why He came.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Read Luke 2:1–20 out loud with your family or friends this Christmas, before the gifts. It takes five minutes.
Common questions
Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?
Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 tell the birth of Jesus. John 1:1–14 tells the same story from heaven’s point of view.
Was Jesus born on December 25?
The Bible doesn’t give a date. Christians have celebrated His birth on December 25 since at least the 4th century. What matters is that He came.
What is the best Christmas verse for a card?
Luke 2:10–11, Isaiah 9:6 and John 1:14 are favorites. Matthew 1:23, “God with us,” fits almost any card.
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