Christmas Bible Verses: The Story of Jesus' Birth in Scripture

Before the lights, the gifts, and the holiday rush, there was a story: God keeping a promise He'd made for centuries. These Christmas Bible verses walk through that story in order, from the prophets who saw it coming to the wise men who traveled to worship. Read them aloud with your family this season, one section each night, or all together on Christmas Eve.

The promise (prophecy)

• 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."
• 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."
• Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

These were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. God named the town, described the mother, and called the child "God with us." Christmas is a promise kept.

The announcement

• Luke 1:30–31: "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
• Luke 1:38: "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
• Matthew 1:21: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Mary's "be it unto me" is one of the most courageous sentences ever spoken. She said yes to God without knowing how any of it would work out.

The birth

• Luke 2:7: "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
• 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 King of kings arrived in a feeding trough. Christmas tells us God doesn't wait for the perfect setting. He comes into the mess.

The good news

• 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."
• Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
• Luke 2:19: "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

The first people to hear were shepherds: ordinary, overlooked workers on the night shift. The good news was for "all people" from the very start.

The worship

• Matthew 2:10–11: "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Our tradition of Christmas gifts echoes the wise men, and ultimately God's greatest gift of all.

Ways to keep Christ at the center

Read the story before opening presents. Luke 2:1–20 takes about five minutes.

Let your decor tell the story. Our Christian Christmas gifts and decorations and tree skirts and ornaments keep Jesus at the heart of your home all season.

Give gifts that carry the message. A faith-filled present, like matching Christian Christmas pajamas for the kids, can point to the reason for the season long after the wrapping paper's gone. Order early so everything arrives before Christmas.

Serve someone. Jesus came for the overlooked. Find one way to bless someone who won't be able to repay you.

A Christmas prayer

Father, thank You for keeping Your promise and sending Jesus. Thank You that You came close, into a manger and into our mess. In the busyness of this season, help us slow down and worship like the shepherds and the wise men. Fill our home with Your peace and our hearts with great joy. Glory to God in the highest! Amen.

More seasonal reading: our Devotionals.