Bible verses about Christmas
The word Christmas is not in the Bible, but the event it celebrates stands at the center of it. Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophets spoke of a Child from the family of David who would rule forever, and the Gospels tell how God kept that promise in Bethlehem.
Scripture says little about how to celebrate the birth of Jesus and a great deal about who He is. The Child in the manger is the eternal Son of God who became a real human being, and He came with a purpose: to save His people from their sins.
These verses follow the promise through the prophets, the good news announced at His birth and what the apostles taught about why He came. The full account of the first Christmas is told in The Christmas story in the Bible.
Promised by the prophets
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isa 7:14 · King James Version (1769)
Isaiah spoke these words to King Ahaz, who had refused to ask God for a sign. John MacArthur notes that the Lord then gave His own sign, one fulfilled long after Ahaz’s lifetime. John Wesley explains the name Immanuel as “God dwelling among us, in our nature.”
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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:6 · King James Version (1769)
The names of this Child are too great for any earthly king. Matthew Henry writes that He is rightly called Wonderful, “for he is both God and man,” and that as the Prince of Peace He reconciles us to God.
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.
Mic 5:2 · King James Version (1769)
Bethlehem was a small town in Judah, the hometown of King David. Micah foretold that Israel’s Ruler would come from there, and yet His goings forth are from everlasting: commentators see here both the birthplace of the Messiah and His existence from eternity as God.
The names of the Child
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matt 1:21 · King James Version (1769)
The angel told Joseph what to name Mary’s Son. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the Lord saves,” and the name describes His mission: to rescue His people not from a foreign ruler but from their sins.
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.
Matt 1:23 · King James Version (1769)
Matthew sees Isaiah’s promise fulfilled in Jesus. William MacDonald points out that no one is recorded calling Him Immanuel during His life on earth, yet the very meaning of the name Jesus includes God’s presence with us. The New Geneva Study Bible adds that Matthew comes back to this thought at the end of his Gospel, when the risen Jesus promises to be with His disciples always (Matthew 28:20).
Good news of great joy
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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10–11 · King James Version (1769)
The first to hear the news were shepherds keeping watch near Bethlehem. MacDonald calls these titles a theology in miniature: Jesus is the Savior, as His name says; the Christ, God’s anointed Messiah; and the Lord, God come in the flesh.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14 · King James Version (1769)
The angels praise God, because sending the Savior shows His glory. MacArthur explains that the peace they announce is not a promise that wars will end, but peace with God for those on whom His favor rests (Romans 5:1).
Why the Son of God came
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.
John 1:14 · King James Version (1769)
John calls the eternal Son of God the Word. He did not merely appear to be human: He became a real man. MacDonald notes that the word translated “dwelt” means “pitched His tent”: God truly came and lived among people.
But when the fullness 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.
Gal 4:4–5 · King James Version (1769)
Christ came at the time the Father had appointed. MacDonald observes that Paul’s mention of His birth from a woman shows that the eternal Son truly became a man, and MacArthur explains that He came under the law to redeem guilty people and adopt them into God’s family.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:6–7 · King James Version (1769)
Paul holds up Christ’s coming as the great example of humility. He emptied Himself, MacArthur and the New Geneva Study Bible stress, not of His divine nature but of His heavenly glory and rights, taking the form of a servant.
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.
1 Tim 1:15 · King James Version (1769)
Here Paul sums up the reason for Christmas in one sentence: Christ came into the world to save sinners. He calls himself the first of them, a former persecutor of the church, so that no one would think himself beyond the reach of God’s mercy.
The Child born in Bethlehem grew up to give His life on the cross and rise again, and that is why His birth is such good news.