There are many ways to re-tell the Christmas story from the Bible. This collection of Christmas Bible verses are a simple way of telling the story of God coming to earth in Jesus Christ. It leads us on a journey of key Bible verses in chronological order.
We’ve used these Christmas Bible verses in our home at meal time for special family Christmas celebrations. I print out the pages of Christmas Bible verses, cut out each verse into a little sheet, and then pass them out to everyone at the table. Then each person reads their verse(s) in order. This makes for a short and delightful sharing of Christmas Bible verses that re-tells the Christmas story.
It adds to the sense of community if each person, after reading their Bible verse with the phrase that introduces it, is given opportunity to share something personal. It could be something they’re thankful for about Christmas, a Christmas memory, or a short prayer inspired by the Christmas Bible verse.
The Christmas Bible Verses
Christmas is God’s Promise to Bless All Nations Through the Messiah
“I will surely bless you [Abraham] and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” (Genesis 22:17-18).
Christmas is God Made Incarnate in the Least, Lowest, and Last of Peoples
“But you, Bethlehem… though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).
Christmas is the Messiah’s Light Overcoming Darkness
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).
Christmas is waiting for God’s revelation through the Messiah
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Christmas is Best Appreciated in Silence
“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to [Zechariah], standing at the right side of the altar of incense… ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth… And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah… to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’
“The angel answered, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.’
“Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. (Luke 1:11-22).
Christmas is Receiving God’s Word Made Flesh
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her” (Luke 1:30-32, 38).
Christmas is Spirit-conceived New Birth
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).
Christmas is Ancient Prophecies Concerning the Messiah Being Fulfilled
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:22-23).
Christmas is Listening to God’s Dream
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:19-21).
Christmas is God Coming to an Unlikely Place
“She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
Christmas is the Good News of Salvation Offered to All People
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Christmas is Hurrying to Meet Jesus
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:15-16).
Christmas is Treasuring God’s Revelation
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
Christmas is Marveling Over Jesus
“The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him” (Luke 2:33).
Christmas is Wise People Worshiping Christ
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2).
Christmas is Overcoming Evil
“An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him’” (Matthew 2:13).
Advent Resources
Experience the birth of Christ anew with these Devotionals and Prayer Cards for Advent. This 12-page PDF resource features ten one page devotionals, each themed on a Bible character in the Advent story, Advent passage of Scripture and Breath Prayer from the Bible. This is designed for personal devotions, small groups and holiday gatherings.
