Special Occasions
Updated April 17, 2026
Celebrate Christmas with Bible verses about Jesus' birth, bringing the true spirit of love and joy to your holiday season.
Verses for 25+ Christmas Bible Verses
Start with one passage. If it catches your attention, stay there before moving through the rest of the list.
These Christmas Scriptures will remind you of the joy we have because of Jesus Christ, whether you're searching for Bible passages to write in Christmas cards, a Bible story to read to your children on Christmas night, or simply a reminder of why we rejoice this time of year.
From Nativity to the true meaning behind Christmas, everything there is to learn about this holy holiday is within the verses of the Bible. Take the time this year to study the Bible’s texts about Christmas, as it will make your holiday even more special. Because Christmas is a time for sharing, share these passages with those around you.
So, before you enjoy the delicious food, exchange gifts with loved ones, and bask in holiday cheer, set some time aside to read and reflect on these 25+ Christmas Bible verses. You might find they enrich your holiday experience and make this time of year one that you will cherish in a new way.
Passage 1
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: This prophecy foretells the birth of Jesus, highlighting the many roles He would fulfill as Savior.
Passage 2
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: The angel’s announcement to the shepherds brings the joyful news of Jesus' birth, calling Him the long-awaited Savior.
Passage 3
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: This verse explains the purpose of Jesus’ birth: to save humanity from sin.
Passage 4
"And the Word became 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."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: This verse celebrates the incarnation, the miraculous event of God becoming human in Jesus.
Passage 5
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Immanuel means "God with us," signifying God’s presence with humanity through Jesus’ birth.
Passage 6
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: The angels proclaim peace on earth and glory to God, celebrating Jesus’ birth as a gift of peace.
Passage 7
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy; and when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: The wise men’s visit and gifts honor Jesus as King, showing their reverence and worship.
Passage 8
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Jesus’ birth was part of God’s perfect timing, bringing redemption and adoption into God’s family.
Passage 9
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: This prophecy highlights Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, linking Jesus to ancient promises.
Passage 10
"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: God’s love and mercy were revealed through Jesus’ birth, emphasizing that salvation is a gift, not earned.
Passage 11
"And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.'"
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: The angel’s words to Mary confirm Jesus’ divine nature, announcing Him as the Son of God.
Passage 12
"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: This prophecy refers to Jesus coming from David’s lineage, fulfilling the promise of a Savior from Jesse’s line.
Passage 13
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, 'God with us.'"
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: Jesus’ birth fulfills the prophecy of a virgin birth, with "Immanuel" symbolizing God’s presence with His people.
Passage 14
"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Jesus’ humble birth in a manger underscores His willingness to enter the world in simplicity and humility.
Passage 15
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: God’s gift of Jesus was an act of profound love, offering eternal life to all who believe.
Passage 16
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: This verse celebrates Jesus as the ultimate gift, expressing gratitude for God’s generous love.
Passage 17
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Jesus’ birth brings the gift of eternal life, offering salvation as a counter to the consequences of sin.
Passage 18
"Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.'"
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: The angel’s message to Mary brings hope and announces Jesus’ purpose as Savior.
Passage 19
"Then Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'"
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: Jesus is described as the Light of the World, illuminating lives with hope and truth.
Passage 20
"Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Jesus’ birth exemplifies humility, as He came to serve and live among us, showing God’s love in a relatable way.
Passage 21
"Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: This verse is often linked to Jesus’ arrival, seen as the Light coming into the world to bring salvation.
Passage 22
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: Though this verse refers to Jesus’ later entry into Jerusalem, it emphasizes His humility, a quality also reflected in His birth.
Passage 23
"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Mary’s quiet reflection on the events surrounding Jesus’ birth highlights the wonder and mystery of God’s plan.
Passage 24
"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'"
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: God reassures Joseph and reveals Jesus’ mission to save humanity, bringing peace to his heart.
Passage 25
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: God’s love is demonstrated through Jesus’ arrival, giving humanity a way to experience true life.
Passage 26
"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: Zechariah praises God for fulfilling His promise of salvation through Jesus, born from David’s lineage.
Passage 27
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: Christmas brings hope, joy, and peace, blessings from God that overflow in our lives through faith.
Passage 28
"That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world."
Read aloud: Read the verse aloud once without rushing. Then read it again and pause where your attention catches.
In plain words: Jesus is the true Light who brings understanding and clarity to all who receive Him.
Passage 29
"Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child."
Read aloud: Give this verse room to breathe. Let one word or image stand out before you move to the explanation.
In plain words: This recounting of Joseph and Mary’s journey emphasizes the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Passage 30
"The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined."
Read aloud: Try saying the last line slowly, then turn it into a one-sentence prayer in your own words.
In plain words: This prophecy symbolizes hope, with Jesus’ birth bringing light to those in spiritual darkness.
Start with Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:10-11, and Matthew 1:21. Read one of them aloud before you read the rest, so the page feels less like a list and more like a conversation with Scripture.
Choose one reference, read it slowly, and write the line that stays with you in your own words. Turn that sentence into a short prayer before you move to another passage.
The Bible contains more than 31,000 verses. In the King James Version, there are 31,102 verses across 66 books, though totals can vary slightly between translations because some passages are grouped differently.
A Chosen Portion take
Before you turn christmas into a list to finish, give yourself a little quiet. Let the season slow down enough for gratitude, grief, or hope to become prayer.
Start with Isaiah 9:6 and read it out loud if you can. Then carry one honest sentence into the rest of the day: a confession, a request, a thank-you, or a small act of obedience.
Take Scripture into prayer with a gentler daily rhythm: reflection, quiet attention, and one faithful conversation at a time.