25 Christmas Verses

Enjoy this selection of Christmas verses that will inspire your heart and bring you joy. Ray provides short commentary on each of the Christmas verses.

Christmas Verses

As we approach the end of each calendar year, Christmas comes into view. For those of us who are followers of Jesus, Bible passages full of Christmas verses spring to mind. While the word, Christmas, is not recorded in the Bible, many prophetic passages about the birth of Jesus from the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament, particularly the gospels. It is in many of these sections of Scripture that our favourite Christmas verses are found. Thus, the story of the arrival of the Messiah in the small town of Bethlehem is one of the most treasured themes in the Bible.

1. The First Messianic Prophecy

In Genesis 3:15 we read,

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

Genesis 3:15 NIV

The Lord is speaking to the serpent, or as we know him, Satan and describing what the future holds. Although Satan will spend an age deceiving and manipulating mankind, he will meet his final end. The “offspring” is, of course, Jesus. The verse is the first reference to the promised Messiah, and although Satan appeared to “strike his heel” at the crucifixion, the final victory will belong to the Lord, who will inflict a fatal wound on Satan when He crushes his head.

2. All Peoples Blessed

Genesis 28:14 tells us that all the peoples on the earth will be blessed through one of Abraham’s descendants.

Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

Genesis 28:14 NIV

Jesus is indeed, directly descended from Abraham. Matthew’s gospel begins with a record of the genealogy of Jesus, which refers to Him as the “Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”

3. The Virgin Birth Prophecied

The amazing prophecy of the virgin birth is provided for us in Isaiah 7:14,

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

This famous Messianic prophecy makes it clear that the virgin birth is a “sign” from the Lord Himself, and predicts that the child will be given the name Immanuel which means “God with us.”

4. Titles of the Promised Child

An astonishing array of spectacular titles are ascribed to the promised child in this prophecy found in Isaiah 9:6

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 NIV

5. The Messiah to be Born in Bethlehem.

Over the years, many sermons have been written to explain the importance of these significant titles.

Micah may be one of the smallest books in the Bible, but it does include this notably prophetic verse in chapter 5.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 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 NIV

Although Mary and Joseph were from the seemingly insignificant provincial town in Nazareth, Joseph’s ancestral home was Bethlehem. Jesus fulfilled the Micah prophecy by being born in Bethlehem due to the census that brought Joseph and Mary there to register.

6. The Stump of Jesse

In Isaiah 11:1 we read the startling news that the Messiah will come from the line of Jesse, father of King David.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:1 NIV

In the same way that branches can grow out of an old stump and produce fruit, Isaiah predicts that the Messiah will bring life to the old line of Jesse.

7. The King Arrives in Jerusalem

This prediction from Zechariah was fulfilled when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem.

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9  NIV

As Jesus entered the city, crowds met Him with praises and palm branches. In but a few days more Jesus hung on the cross with the title “King of the Jews” above His head. Only a few days had passed since Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Only a few more would pass before Jesus Himself was raised from the dead.

8. Gabriel Visits Mary

Luke, the great new testament doctor and historian, interviewed his witnesses carefully and thoroughly. Here he records for us the time of Gabriel’s visit to Mary.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.

Luke 1:26 NIV

Angels are messengers. Gabriel had a remarkable message to bring to Mary, a young woman living in the northern province of Galilee.

9. Favor With God

No woman in history has found favor with God like Mary, the young woman from Nazareth.

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 

Luke 1:30-32 NIV

From the beginning of time, God knew that Mary would be the one to carry the promised Messiah. No princess, queen or member of royalty would be given this honor. Only Mary, the insignificant teenager from an insignificant town would have the privilege of carrying the future Saviour of the World.

10. Son of the Most High.

Abraham was blessed by the Most High God. Mary carried the Son of the Most High. Luke records for us that this Jesus, would inherit the throne of His great ancestor, King David. Yet Jesus would be greater.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

Luke 1:32 NIV 

11. Mary’s Humble Response

Luke 1:46-48 tells us Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement.

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,

Luke 1:46-48 NIV

Her humility shines through as she acknowledges that she is the Lord’s willing servant. She will have the unique blessing of carrying the Savior of mankind in her womb. Yet, far from being proud and boastful, she gives glory to God and rejoices.

12. God Loves the World

Perhaps no one was closer to Jesus than John, the beloved disciple. In this famous verse, he lays out for us God’s master plan to save us.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 NIV

Perfect, unconditional love is the driving force that impels God the Father to give His Son, Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin. Now the way is opened up for us to enjoy eternal blessings in His presence. The Christmas story provides us with the possibility of eternal peace with God.

13. God Becomes Man

What a marvelous mystery is recorded for us in John 1:14!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 NIV

How could it be that God, the creator of the universe could shoehorn Himself into human form? As we think of all God’s attributes it is astonishing that He would do such a thing. Yet He did. Now we understand that God longs to dwell with us and in us.

14. The Baby is Born!

The entrance of the Saviour into the world came about it in humble fashion.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

Luke 2:6

Luke records it for us in his concise, factual way. When the time was exactly right, the baby was born. Jesus was born not a moment too soon, and not a moment too late, in the small town of Bethlehem in simple surroundings, quite possibly a cave, as there was no other lodging available.

15. Shepherds in the Fields

The stage had been set for the announcement of the Saviour’s grand entrance into the world.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  

Luke 2:8 NIV

Surprisingly, it is a group of simple shepherds, watching their flocks out in the fields on a cold Judean night, who have ringside seats to what is about to transpire. No royal courtiers were called upon. Simply shepherds.

16. An Angelic Appearance

After centuries of seeming silence, God is about to move in a big way.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Luke 2:9 NIV

Can you even begin to imagine the mixture of emotions running through the minds of these shepherds as an angel, in all its brilliant brightness, bursts into their world, breaking the barrier between the mundane and the glories of heaven?

17. Good News!

Every generation needs good news. Luke records for us that the angel brings good news to the shepherds.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Luke 2:10 NIV

In fact, the angels tell us that that this news will be the cause of great joy for everyone. This joy is for all people of all nations, all cultures and all races throughout history.

18. The Messiah

The angelic messenger shares the specifics of the good news.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:11 NIV

The God of all creation is here with us. He has been born in Bethlehem, David’s city. He is the Messiah, the Promised One, the Christ. The Lord. He deserves our worship and adoration!

19. A Baby in a Manger

Most kings are born in palaces. Not this one.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:12 NIV

Jesus, the King of Kings, was born in humble surroundings and placed in a manger. There was no golden crib for Jesus, only an animal’s feeding trough.

20. See This Thing God Has Done

As the brilliant light of the angelic presence receded back into heaven, the shepherds made a decision.

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.”

Luke 2:15 NIV

Setting aside their shepherding responsibilities for a while, the shocked shepherds headed straight to Bethlehem to see if the angelic announcement could possibly be true. They were not to be disappointed.

21. The Baby Lying in the Manger

Unsurprisingly, the shepherds don’t waste any time in taking action. Luke records,

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:16 NIV

Everything was just as the angel had said. The baby was as announced – lying in a manger. God surprises us with a humble entrance into the world that is witnessed by ordinary workers and a young couple from Nazareth. Could it possibly be that this was the Messiah?

22. Spread the Word

Good news should be shared.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17-18 NIV

The shepherds become the first followers of Jesus, faithful in sharing the good news that they have received. So convincing was their testimony that those who heard it also came to be amazed on that holy night.

23. Magi From the East

Some time passes before some strangers, foreigners from the east arrive in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1 NIV

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 when it rose and have come to worship him.

Luke 2:17-18 NIV

Matthew helpfully picks up the tale with this fascinating story of a group of magi who arrive in Judea after following an unusual star. Incredibly, they believe that the star signified the birth of a king and have come to express their worship.

24. Treasures Presented

Perhaps it is from this verse that they legend of three wise men is drawn.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 NIV

Three gifts are given, but the number of magi is not mentioned. Nevertheless the symbolism of the gifts is there for us to see in retrospect. Gold for a king. Frankincense for the sweetness of Jesus’ life. Myrrh to represent His embalmment in death.

25. When the Time Was Right

No one but the Lord knows how many years had passed since the first Messianic prophecy in the Garden of Eden.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Galatians 4:4-5 NIV

Countless numbers had waited patiently for the Promised Messiah. However, as always, the timeline is the Lord’s. Jesus came at exactly the right time. We can be sure that His return in glory will also come at exactly the right time.

Which are your favourite Christmas verses? We would love to hear from you. All the above verses come from the NIV version of the Bible. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.