15 Dec The Best Christmas Bible Verses for Meaningful Family Devotions
Some of the best Christmas Bible verses are Luke 2:10-11, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:21, John 1:14 and John 3:16. Below they are grouped for family devotions, with the key verses written out so you can read them aloud or use them in a Christmas card.
Christmas is an excellent time to spend quality time as a family. It’s a great time to impart the best Christmas Bible verses into the hearts of your kids, but it takes planning and intentionality. Taking the time to read the Bible together as a family and meditate on the Scriptures about the meaning of Christmas is the best investment you will make in your family. In light of this, I wanted to locate several of the best verses about Christmas. We like to read these either in the morning as a devotional together, or Christmas eve.
Here are the best Christmas Bible verses for family devotions, greeting cards, or messages.
Christmas Bible Verses About the Nativity
- Luke 2:1-20 (The complete Christmas story – Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels)
- Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s perspective and naming Jesus)
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11, NIV)
Christmas Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus
- Isaiah 9:6 (For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given)
- Isaiah 7:14 (The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son)
- Micah 5:2 (But you, Bethlehem, though you are small)
“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)
“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)
“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)
Bible Verses About the Meaning of Christ’s Coming
- John 1:1-14 (The Word became flesh and dwelt among us)
- John 3:16-17 (For God so loved the world)
- Philippians 2:5-11 (Christ humbled himself, taking the form of a servant)
“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)
“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)
The Wise Men and Worship
- Matthew 2:1-12 (The magi bring gifts and worship)
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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 2:10-11, NIV)
God’s Promise and Timing
- Galatians 4:4-5 (When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son)
- Luke 1:26-38 (The angel Gabriel visits Mary)
“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)
“For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37, NIV)
Christmas Verses of Joy and Celebration
- Luke 2:10-14 (Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy)
- Psalm 98:4-9 (Make a joyful noise to the Lord)
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV)
The Purpose of His Coming
- Matthew 1:21 (He will save his people from their sins)
- 1 Timothy 1:15 (Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners)
- 1 John 3:8 (He came to destroy the works of the devil)
“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)
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8, NIV)
Bible Verses for Christmas Eve: How We Read Them as a Family
Our basic format each year is to read Luke 2:1-20, then I will read Isaiah 9:6. I will list off these names, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Then I pose this question: Which of these names of God has meant the most to you this year and why? Then I just wait. This sets the stage for some very meaningful family sharing.
The act of taking the initiative to rally your family and read these texts speaks volumes to your family about what you value, your confidence in Scripture to inform your view about this special time of year. Lead out with it and trust God that he will bless your family.
From Bethlehem to the Nations
The angel said the good news was “for all the people.” From the first Christmas, God’s plan was bigger than one town or one nation. If your family or small group wants to follow that thread through the whole Bible, the Storyline Study traces God’s heart for the nations from Genesis to Revelation. Try Week 1 free.
When Christmas is over, our Bible verses for New Year’s resolutions and the free Bible in One Year reading plan can carry the habit into January.
Mike Krieg is Executive Director and Founder of Storyline, a Christian mission organization that trains and equips frontier churches and church leaders to reach unreached peoples.
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