50 Christmas Bible Verses (KJV & NIV) About the Birth of Jesus, Hope and Joy

Christmas is first a celebration of Jesus’ birth, and these Christmas Bible verses bring that story back to the center of the season. Use them in Christmas cards, church programs, family devotions or as a daily Advent reading. Verses are quoted from familiar English translations (mostly KJV and NIV wording).

Bible verses about the birth of Jesus

1. “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 (KJV)
2. “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 (KJV)
3. “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.” — Micah 5:2 (NIV)
4. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11 (KJV)
5. “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.” — Luke 2:7 (KJV)
6. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” — Luke 2:10 (KJV)
7. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” — Luke 2:14 (KJV)
8. “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 1:21 (NIV)
9. “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
10. “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” — Matthew 2:10 (NIV)
11. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” — Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
12. “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” — Luke 2:19 (KJV)
13. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” — John 1:14 (KJV)
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 (KJV)
15. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5 (NIV)

Christmas Bible verses about hope

16. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” — Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
17. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” — Romans 15:13 (NIV)
18. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord… plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
19. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)
20. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” — Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
21. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Christmas Bible verses about peace

22. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” — John 14:27 (KJV)
23. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” — Isaiah 9:7 (KJV)
24. “The Lord bless you and keep you… and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV)
25. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
26. “To guide our feet into the way of peace.” — Luke 1:79 (KJV)

Christmas Bible verses about joy

27. “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” — Luke 1:46–47 (KJV)
28. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” — Psalm 100:1 (KJV)
29. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
30. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
31. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

Christmas Bible verses about God’s love and gifts

32. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” — 2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV)
33. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17 (KJV)
34. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world.” — 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
35. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 (KJV)
36. “We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

Short Christmas Bible verses for cards

37. “God with us.” — Matthew 1:23
38. “Unto us a child is born.” — Isaiah 9:6
39. “Good tidings of great joy.” — Luke 2:10
40. “Glory to God in the highest.” — Luke 2:14
41. “His name shall be called Wonderful.” — Isaiah 9:6
42. “O come, let us adore him.” — inspired by Psalm 95:6
43. “The Light of the world.” — John 8:12
44. “Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6
45. “Let earth receive her King.” — inspired by Psalm 98
46. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” — 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Christmas blessings drawn from Scripture

47. May the hope of Isaiah 9:6 fill your home this Christmas.
48. May the peace the angels announced be with you and your family.
49. May the joy of the shepherds be your joy this season.
50. May the light of Christ guide you into the new year.

25-day Advent Bible reading plan

December	Reading	December	Reading
1	Isaiah 7:10–14	14	Luke 1:46–56
2	Isaiah 9:1–7	15	Luke 1:57–66
3	Isaiah 11:1–5	16	Luke 1:67–80
4	Isaiah 40:1–11	17	Matthew 1:18–25
5	Micah 5:2–5	18	Luke 2:1–7
6	Jeremiah 23:5–6	19	Luke 2:8–14
7	Isaiah 60:1–3	20	Luke 2:15–20
8	Psalm 98	21	Luke 2:21–35
9	Malachi 3:1–4	22	Matthew 2:1–8
10	Luke 1:5–17	23	Matthew 2:9–12
11	Luke 1:18–25	24	John 1:1–14
12	Luke 1:26–33	25	Luke 2:1–20 (read it all)
13	Luke 1:34–45

How to use Christmas Bible verses

• Christmas cards: pair a short verse with a personal note from our Christmas wishes.
• Family devotions: read one verse each night of Advent and light a candle.
• Decor: write Luke 2:14 on a chalkboard or ornament.
• Social media: share a verse with a nativity or candlelight photo.

Find more Scripture in our short Bible verses, Bible verses about love and Christmas blessings.

FAQ

What is the main Christmas Bible verse?

Luke 2:11 — “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” — is one of the best-known Christmas verses, along with Isaiah 9:6 and John 3:16.

Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?

The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2. Luke 2:1–20 is the passage most often read on Christmas Eve.

What is a short Bible verse for a Christmas card?

“Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14) and “God with us” (Matthew 1:23) are short and perfect for cards.