17 Bible verses about Christmas

Looking for Bible readings for your Christmas services, present labels or Christmas cards? Start here.

The prequel  

1) ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.‘ John 1.1 (ESV)

2) ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’’ Isaiah 7.14 (ESV)

3) ‘A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’ Isaiah 40.3 (NRSV)

4)‘“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’’ Jeremiah 23.5-6 (ESV)

5) ‘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.’ Micah 5.2 (ESV)

6) ‘“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).’ Matthew 1.23 (ESV)

The main event

7) ‘The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son.’ John 1.14 (GNB)

8) ‘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.’ Luke 2.7 (ESV)

9) ‘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.’ Isaiah 9.6 (ESV)

Angels and shepherds

10) ‘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.‘ Luke 2.10 (ESV)

11) ‘This very day in David's town your Saviour was born — Christ the Lord!‘ Luke 2.11 (GNB)

12) ‘“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”’ Luke 2.14 (NRSV)

Wise men

13) ‘“Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.”’ Matthew 2.2 (GNB)

14) ‘They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.’ Matthew 2.11 (GNB)

The reason for the season

15) ‘And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.‘ 1 John 4.9 (GNB)

16) ‘…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. Galatians 4.4-5 (ESV)

17) ‘For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.’ John 3.16 (GNB)