15 Bible Verses for Christmas

The Christmas story belongs in Scripture, not just in carols. These verses run from the prophets who waited for Him, to the night He was born, to why He came at all. Read them with your family. Put one in every card you send.

1. 1.

   Isaiah 9:6

   "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

   700 years before the manger, Isaiah saw Him. Christmas wasn't an idea God came up with last minute.

2. 2.

   Luke 2:10–11

   "And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.""

   The first Christmas sermon was preached by an angel to shepherds. Good news of great joy. That's still the headline.

3. 3.

   John 1:14

   "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

   Christmas is the night God put on skin. Everything else flows from that single sentence.

4. 4.

   Matthew 1:23

   "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)."

   His name is the whole gospel in one word. God. With us.

5. 5.

   Luke 2:7

   "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

   Kings aren't usually born next to animals. He was — because the whole story is about Him coming low for us.

6. 6.

   Galatians 4:4–5

   "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

   The timing was God's. The body was real. The mission was rescue.

7. 7.

   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 among those with whom he is pleased!""

   Heaven couldn't keep quiet. A whole army of angels sang over a baby. Sing too.

8. 8.

   Micah 5:2

   "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."

   Even the town was prophesied. Bethlehem — "house of bread" — got the Bread of Life.

9. 9.

   John 3:16

   "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

   Why Christmas? Because love sent a Son. The cradle was the first step toward the cross.

10. 10.

    Matthew 2:11

    "And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."

    The wise men gave Him gifts. We give Him ourselves — that's still the better trade.

11. 11.

    Luke 1:46–47

    "And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.""

    Mary's first response to the angel was a song. Let yours be one too.

12. 12.

    Isaiah 7:14

    "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

    A virgin would give birth to God with us. Christmas in one prophecy.

13. 13.

    Luke 2:20

    "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

    The shepherds didn't go home unchanged. Christmas should still change how you walk home.

14. 14.

    Hebrews 1:1–2

    "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

    Christmas is when God's voice took on a face. He's still speaking through the Son.

15. 15.

    Titus 2:11

    "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people."

    Grace didn't just visit. It appeared — wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger, for you.

Merry Christmas. God is with us. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.