Bible
Christmas Bible Verses
Last updated: May 31, 2026
Written by Blake Boege
Christmas Bible verses compile the scriptural narratives and ancient prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated during the liturgical season of Christmas. These passages primarily consist of the nativity accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, detailing the angelic announcements to Mary and Joseph, the birth in Bethlehem, and the visits of the shepherds and magi. They also incorporate Old Testament messianic prophecies, particularly from the Book of Isaiah. Readers, educators, and liturgists search for these verses to plan holiday services, design greeting cards, teach the historical context of the nativity, and explore the theological significance of the incarnation.
The Christmas story spans the Old Testament prophecies of a coming Messiah and the New Testament accounts of his birth in Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, and John 1. Below are curated KJV passages on the prophecy of Christ, the birth of Jesus, the shepherds and angels, and the reason for the coming.
Quick Answer
Christmas Bible verses recount the birth of Jesus Christ, detailing the prophecies, angelic announcements, and nativity narratives found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and the book of Isaiah.
Prophecy of Christ
Centuries before the birth, the prophets pointed to a coming Messiah. The New Testament treats the Christmas story as the fulfillment of these promises.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
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.
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.
The birth of Jesus
The Gospels record the birth itself in simple, unhurried prose. John adds the cosmic dimension: the eternal Word became flesh.
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.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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.
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.
Shepherds and angels
Luke records the angelic announcement to the shepherds outside Bethlehem and the heavenly chorus that followed.
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.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Why Christ came
The New Testament gives the reason directly: to save sinners, to reveal the Father, and to redeem those under the law.
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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Examples
Prophecy of Christ
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2
The birth of Jesus
Luke 2:7, Matthew 1:21-23, John 1:14
Shepherds and angels
Luke 2:10-14
Why Christ came
John 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 1:15, Galatians 4:4-5
How it works
The page groups verses into four themes that follow the biblical Christmas story:
- Prophecy of Christ: the promise of a coming Messiah long before his birth.
- The birth of Jesus: the event itself, told in Matthew, Luke, and John.
- Shepherds and angels: the angelic announcement on the hillside.
- Why Christ came: the purpose of the incarnation.
All verse text below is from the King James Version (1611), public domain in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Luke 2:10-11 from the angel's announcement to the shepherds is probably the most famous: '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.' Other widely quoted Christmas passages include Isaiah 9:6 ('For unto us a child is born') and John 1:14 ('And the Word was made flesh').
The Christmas story is told in two Gospels. Matthew 1-2 gives the angel's word to Joseph, the visit of the wise men from the east, and the flight to Egypt. Luke 1-2 gives the annunciation to Mary, the song of Mary (the Magnificat), the birth in Bethlehem, the angelic announcement to the shepherds, and the presentation in the temple. John 1 adds the cosmic prologue: 'And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.'
The New Testament gives several closely related answers. He came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15; Matthew 1:21), to reveal the Father (John 1:18; John 14:9), to inaugurate God's kingdom (Mark 1:14-15), and to fulfill the Old Testament promises (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44). The shortest summary is in John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.'
Yes, in the United States. The King James Version was first published in 1611 and is in the public domain in the U.S. All verse text on this page is KJV.
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