Christmas Bible Verses About the Birth of Jesus
Short answer
The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6 and Micah 5:2 promise the birth beforehand, and John 1:14, Galatians 4:4 and John 3:16 state what it means. The word Christmas does not appear in the Bible text, and the verses on this list give no date for the birth.
Christmas Bible verses about the birth of Jesus are found in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, with promises in Isaiah and Micah that come before those accounts. The verses follow the order of the story, with King James Version (KJV) text for each scene.
The text gives no date for the birth, and the word Christmas does not appear in it. For prayers for the season, see [Christmas Prayer for Family](/prayers/occasions/christmas-prayer-for-family) and the [Advent Prayer Calendar](/prayers/advent/advent-prayer-calendar).
Bible Verses About the Birth of Jesus, in Order
The birth account is in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Matthew gives Joseph's side of events and the visit of the wise men. Luke gives Mary's side, the manger, and the shepherds. Each Gospel tells a different part, so the full story is read across both.
The Old Testament promises come first. Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6 and Micah 5:2 speak of the child before either Gospel account begins. After the promise, the announcement to Mary is in Luke 1:30-35 and the one to Joseph is in Matthew 1:20-23. Bethlehem and the manger are in Luke 2:4-7.
The shepherds and the angels are in Luke 2:8-16, and the wise men are in Matthew 2:1-2 and 2:10-11. What the birth means is in John 1:14, Galatians 4:4 and John 3:16.
Old Testament Verses That Point to the Birth
Three Old Testament verses on this list point forward to the birth. Isaiah 7:14 reads: 'Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' Matthew 1:23 quotes the same promise with the spelling Emmanuel and adds its meaning: 'which being interpreted is, God with us.' Isaiah 9:6 says: 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.' The same verse lists names for the child: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. A reader can take the names one at a time and see what each one says about the child.
Micah 5:2 names the town. It speaks to 'Bethlehem Ephratah' and says that out of it 'shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.' Matthew 2:1 says Jesus 'was born in Bethlehem of Judaea.' Luke 2:4 describes the city 'which is called Bethlehem.' Both Gospels place the birth in the town Micah names.
The Announcement to Mary and Joseph
Luke gives the angel's message to Mary. The angel says, 'Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God,' and that she will 'bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.' Luke 1:35 explains how: 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.' The same verse says the child 'shall be called the Son of God.' Matthew gives the message to Joseph in a dream. The angel of the Lord tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because 'that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost' (Matthew 1:20).
Matthew 1:21 gives the reason for the name: 'he shall save his people from their sins.' The two accounts agree on the name and on the source of the conception. Luke records the message as spoken to Mary, and Matthew records it as given to Joseph.
Bethlehem and the Manger in Luke 2
Luke 2:4 says Joseph went 'out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David' because he was 'of the house and lineage of David.' He went 'to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.' Luke then records that 'the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.' 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.' Those lines give the setting for the rest of the Luke account. The shepherds in the next scene find the child in that same manger (Luke 2:16).
The Shepherds and the Angels
Luke 2:8 says there were 'shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.' The angel of the Lord came upon them, and 'they were sore afraid.' The angel answered: 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.' The angel gives the shepherds a sign: 'Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' Luke 2:11 names the child in the same message: 'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' Then 'suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God' (Luke 2:8-14). Their song is 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' Luke 2:16 says the shepherds 'came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.'
The Wise Men in Matthew 2
Matthew 2:1 says 'there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.' They asked, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews?' and explained, 'for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him' (Matthew 2:2). Matthew 2:10-11 describes their meeting with the child. The visitors 'rejoiced with exceeding great joy' when they saw the star.
In the house they 'saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.' They opened their treasures and presented 'gold and frankincense and myrrh.' Matthew places the visit in a house, while Luke places the shepherds' visit at the manger. Matthew 2 does not give a number of wise men. [Who Were the Wise Men](/answers/who-were-the-wise-men-magi-who-visited-jesus) takes up that question.
What the Birth Means in the New Testament
Three verses from later in the New Testament say what the birth means. John 1:14 says 'the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.' Galatians 4:4 says that 'when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.' John 3:16 says 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' These verses do not describe the scene or mention the shepherds, the manger, or the star. They state what the birth is, and the Gospel scenes show it happening.
For the meaning, start with these three verses. For the story, read the Gospel passages above.
Short Christmas Bible Verses for Cards
Three short passages from this list work for a card. Luke 2:11 is one sentence: 'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' Luke 2:14 is the angels' song: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' Isaiah 9:6 gives the names of the child. Each passage can stand alone on a card with its reference.
Is Christmas Mentioned in the Bible?
The Bible text does not use the word Christmas. The birth story is told in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, with Joseph's side and the wise men in Matthew and Mary's side, the manger and the shepherds in Luke. The verses on this list give no date for the birth and do not describe holiday customs.
How Families Can Read the Story During Advent
One approach is to read one scene each night, in order. Start with the announcement in Luke 1:30-35. Then read Luke 2:4-7 for Bethlehem, Luke 2:8-16 for the shepherds, and Matthew 2:1-2 and 2:10-11 for the wise men. Read each passage aloud, then stop after the scene.
An [Advent Prayer Calendar](/prayers/advent/advent-prayer-calendar) and [Advent Prayers](/prayers/advent). A reader who is unsure when Advent begins can check [When Does Advent Start in 2026](/answers/when-does-advent-start-in-2026). For a prayer to say alongside the reading, see [Christmas Prayer for Family](/prayers/occasions/christmas-prayer-for-family).
Where to Start Reading the Story
The verses tell the birth of Jesus and do not describe the holiday's customs. For a first reading, start with Isaiah 9:6 and Micah 5:2, which set out the promise and the town. Then read Luke 2:1-16 and Matthew 2 to finish the Christmas Bible verses about the birth, the shepherds, and the wise men.
Key Bible verses
- 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 7:14
- 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. — Isaiah 9:6
- 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. — Micah 5:2
- 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. — Matthew 1:23
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:11
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. — Luke 2:14
- 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. — Matthew 2:10-11
- 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
- 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. — John 3:16
Frequently asked questions
Which Bible verses tell the Christmas story?
Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 tell the birth story. Luke gives Mary's side, the manger and the shepherds, and Matthew gives Joseph's side and the visit of the wise men. The Old Testament promises that come before them are Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6 and Micah 5:2.
What are good short Christmas Bible verses for cards?
Luke 2:11, Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2:14 are short enough for a card. Luke 2:11 names the child as 'a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord,' Isaiah 9:6 lists his names, and Luke 2:14 is the angels' song, 'Glory to God in the highest.'
Is Christmas mentioned in the Bible?
The word Christmas does not appear in the Bible text. The birth account is in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, and the verses on this list do not give a date for the birth.
Where are the shepherds and the angels in the Bible?
They appear in Luke 2:8-16. Luke says the shepherds were 'keeping watch over their flock by night' when the angel of the Lord came upon them. They then 'came with haste' and found the babe lying in a manger.
Where are the wise men in the Bible?
Matthew 2:1-2 and Matthew 2:10-11 describe them. They came 'from the east to Jerusalem,' and in the house they 'fell down, and worshipped him.' Matthew does not give the number of wise men.
Which Old Testament verses point to the birth of Jesus?
Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6 and Micah 5:2. Isaiah 7:14 promises a child named Immanuel, Isaiah 9:6 says 'unto us a child is born,' and Micah 5:2 names Bethlehem as the town the ruler comes out of.