Christmas Bible Verses: 10 Scriptures About the Birth of Jesus
The Christmas story is told in Scripture long before it reaches the manger. The prophets waited for it, the Gospels proclaim it, and the Church still reads these words every Advent and Christmas. Here are ten beloved Christmas Bible verses to read with your family, write in a card or pray through the season.
The verses below are quoted from the King James Version. Our prayer cards sometimes use a more modern wording of the same verse.
1. 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 best-known Christmas prophecy of all, read at Midnight Mass. You will find it on our Nativity Light prayer card.
2. 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."
Seven centuries before Bethlehem, Isaiah foretold the sign of the Virgin and her Son.
3. 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."
Matthew shows how Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus: God is no longer far away, but with us. This verse is on our Holy Family Christmas prayer card.
4. 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 first Christmas announcement, made to shepherds in the fields at night.
5. Luke 2:14
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
The song of the angels, which the Church still sings in the Gloria at Mass.
6. Luke 2:15
"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
The shepherds' response: they did not wait, but went at once to find the Child. This verse is on our Adoration of the Shepherds prayer card.
7. John 1:5
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
A verse of hope for the longest nights of the year, and for anyone walking through a hard season. Find it on our Virgin of the Midnight Star card.
8. 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."
The heart of Christmas in a single sentence: God became one of us.
9. Isaiah 60:1
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee."
A joyful call to welcome the Light of Christ, also read on the Feast of the Epiphany. It is the verse on our Madonna of the Dawn card.
10. Luke 1:46-47
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
Mary's Magnificat, her song of joy while she waited for the birth of her Son. It is printed on our Our Lady of Hope Magnificat card.
Ways to use these Christmas verses
- Read one verse each evening at the Advent wreath.
- Write a verse inside your Christmas cards.
- Let children memorize one verse before Christmas Eve.
- Keep a prayer card with the verse on your fridge, nightstand or home altar.
All of our Christmas prayer cards pair one of these verses with original Nativity or Madonna and Child artwork. You can see them together in our Christmas & Advent collection.
