Draw a verse from the Christmas story, the prophecies behind it, and the New Testament teaching on why Christ came.
Where the Christmas story is found
The birth of Jesus is told mainly in two Gospels. Matthew follows Joseph: the angel's message in a dream, the visit of the wise men, the flight to Egypt. Luke follows Mary: Gabriel's announcement, the journey to Bethlehem, the shepherds, and the old prophets Simeon and Anna in the temple. John does not describe the stable at all. He begins earlier, with the Word who was with God and became flesh.
The details in these accounts are often blended in nativity scenes, so reading each passage separately is useful. For instance, Luke mentions shepherds and a manger, while Matthew speaks of wise men who came to a house and brought three kinds of gifts.
The prophecies behind the story
The Gospels stress that Christ's coming was long expected. Passages from Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah speak of a child born, a ruler from Bethlehem, and a righteous branch from David's line. The Gospel writers connect these to Jesus, and this page includes the Old Testament verses so that you can read them in their own setting.
What the Gospel says Christmas means
The New Testament letters explain the purpose of the nativity. God sent his Son at the right time, Christ took on human nature, and he came to save sinners. Paul describes him setting aside his privileges and becoming a servant, and John says God showed his love by sending his Son.
- Read Luke 2 aloud with family or friends.
- Compare Matthew 1 and 2 with the matching Luke chapters.
- Look up one prophecy and its fulfillment each day of Advent.
For a verse from any season, use the Bible verse randomizer, or try the Bible verse of the day.
Verses in This Collection
- Isaiah 7:14 – 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 gives King Ahaz a sign: a virgin will bear a son called Immanuel; Matthew later applies this to Jesus. - Isaiah 9:6 – 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.
A child is promised with the titles Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:2 – The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
People living in darkness see a great light, a promise Matthew connects with Jesus' ministry in Galilee. - Isaiah 9:7 – Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The coming child's rule on David's throne will grow endlessly in peace, with justice and righteousness. - Micah 5:2 – But thou, Beth-lehem 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 names little Bethlehem as the origin of a future ruler of Israel, whose roots reach back to ancient times. - Isaiah 11:1-2 – And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD ;
A shoot from Jesse's stump, David's family line, will bear the Spirit of the Lord, wisdom, and understanding. - Isaiah 40:3 – The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
A voice in the wilderness calls to prepare the Lord's way; the Gospels apply this to John the Baptist. - Isaiah 40:5 – And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it .
The glory of the Lord will be revealed so that all people see it together. - Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
The suffering servant is wounded for our transgressions, a passage Christians read as pointing to the purpose of Christ's coming. - Isaiah 60:1 – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Zion is told to rise and shine because her light has come and the Lord's glory has dawned. - Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
The anointed one is sent to bring good news to the poor and bind up the brokenhearted; Jesus read this in Nazareth. - Jeremiah 23:5 – Behold, the days come, saith the LORD , that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
God promises to raise up a righteous Branch from David's line, a king who will rule wisely and justly. - Jeremiah 33:14-15 – Behold, the days come, saith the LORD , that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
God promises to keep his word to Israel by causing a righteous Branch to spring up from David. - Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Zion's king comes humbly on a donkey, bringing salvation; the Gospels connect it to Jesus entering Jerusalem. - Genesis 3:15 – And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
After the fall, God promises that the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head, read by Christians as the first hint of a Savior. - Genesis 12:3 – And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God tells Abram that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him. - Genesis 22:18 – And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
God repeats to Abraham that all nations will be blessed through his offspring. - Numbers 24:17 – I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Balaam foresees a star and scepter rising out of Israel, a ruler Christians have long associated with the Messiah. - 2 Samuel 7:12-13 – And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
God promises David a descendant whose kingdom will be established, a promise the New Testament says Jesus fulfills. - Psalm 72:11 – Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
This royal psalm pictures all kings bowing before the king and all nations serving him. - Psalm 72:10 – The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Kings from distant lands bring gifts to the king, a scene often linked with the magi's visit. - Psalm 98:3 – He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
The Lord has remembered his faithfulness to Israel, and all the ends of the earth see his salvation. - Malachi 3:1 – Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
God promises to send a messenger to prepare the way before the Lord comes to his temple. - Malachi 4:2 – But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
For those who revere God, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing, ending the Old Testament on a note of hope. - Hosea 11:1 – When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
God recalls calling his son out of Egypt; Matthew applies this to the holy family's return from Egypt. - Matthew 1:18 – Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew begins the birth account: Mary, engaged to Joseph, is found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 1:20-21 – But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
An angel tells Joseph in a dream to take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus, because he will save his people. - Matthew 1:22-23 – Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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 says these events fulfill Isaiah's prophecy of a virgin bearing a son called Immanuel, God with us. - Matthew 1:24-25 – Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph obeys the angel, takes Mary home, and names her firstborn son Jesus. - Matthew 2:1-2 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem asking where the newborn King of the Jews is, having seen his star. - Matthew 2:3 – When Herod the king had heard these things , he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
King Herod is disturbed by the news of a new king, and all Jerusalem shares his unease. - Matthew 2:9-10 – When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
The star leads the wise men to the child, and seeing it fills them with great joy. - Matthew 2:11 – 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.
The wise men enter the house, bow and worship the child, and offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh. - Matthew 2:12 – And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Warned in a dream, the wise men avoid Herod and go home by another route. - Matthew 2:13 – And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
An angel warns Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, because Herod wants to kill the child. - Matthew 2:14-15 – When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Joseph takes his family to Egypt by night and stays until Herod's death, fulfilling a prophecy about a son called out of Egypt. - Luke 1:26-27 – And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
The angel Gabriel is sent to Mary, a virgin in Nazareth engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. - Luke 1:28 – And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Gabriel greets Mary as highly favored, telling her the Lord is with her. - Luke 1:30-31 – And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Gabriel tells the frightened Mary she has found favor and will bear a son named Jesus. - Luke 1:32-33 – He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
The angel says her son will be called Son of the Most High and will reign on David's throne forever. - Luke 1:35 – And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come on Mary and the child will be called holy, the Son of God. - Luke 1:37-38 – For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Reminded that nothing is impossible for God, Mary responds with humble acceptance as the Lord's servant. - Luke 1:41-42 – And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Elizabeth, Mary's relative, feels her baby leap and, filled with the Spirit, blesses Mary and her child. - Luke 1:46-47 – And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Mary begins the Magnificat, her song of praise rejoicing in God her Savior. - Luke 1:49 – For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Mary praises God for the great things he has done for her, and declares his name holy. - Luke 1:52-53 – He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Mary sings that God brings down rulers, lifts the humble, and feeds the hungry. - Luke 1:68-69 – Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, praises God for visiting and redeeming his people through a horn of salvation from David's house. - Luke 1:78-79 – Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Zechariah says God's tender mercy sends the dawn from on high, shining on those in darkness and guiding feet into peace. - Luke 2:1 – And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luke sets the birth in history: Caesar Augustus ordered that the entire empire be registered. - Luke 2:3-5 – And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the registration, since Joseph is of David's line. - Luke 2:6-7 – And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.
Mary gives birth to her firstborn, wraps him in cloths, and lays him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. - Luke 2:8 – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Shepherds watching their flocks at night near Bethlehem are the first to receive the news. - Luke 2:9 – And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
An angel appears to the shepherds, the Lord's glory shines around them, and they are terrified. - Luke 2:10-11 – 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The angel tells them not to fear, announcing good news of great joy: a Savior, Christ the Lord, is born. - Luke 2:12 – And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The shepherds are given a sign: a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. - Luke 2:13-14 – And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
A multitude of heavenly host appears praising God and proclaiming glory to God and peace on earth. - Luke 2:15 – And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Once the angels leave, the shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told them. - Luke 2:16 – And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem and find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. - Luke 2:17-18 – And when they had seen it , they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
The shepherds spread the angel's message, and all who hear it are amazed. - Luke 2:19 – But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Mary treasures these events and thinks them over quietly in her heart. - Luke 2:20 – And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds go back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. - Luke 2:25-26 – And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Simeon, a devout man in Jerusalem, has been promised by the Spirit that he will see the Messiah before dying. - Luke 2:29-32 – Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Holding the infant Jesus, Simeon says he can die in peace, having seen salvation, a light for the Gentiles and glory of Israel. - Luke 2:38 – And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The prophetess Anna arrives at that moment, gives thanks, and tells others waiting for Jerusalem's redemption. - Luke 2:40 – And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke summarizes Jesus' childhood: he grew strong and wise, with God's grace on him. - Luke 2:52 – And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Jesus grows in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people, closing Luke's account of his boyhood. - John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John begins before the manger: the Word was in the beginning with God and was God. - John 1:3-4 – All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Everything was made through the Word, and life and light in humanity came from him. - John 1:5 – And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome or understood it. - John 1:9 – That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
The true light, coming into the world, shines on everyone. - John 1:10-11 – He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
The Word was in the world he made, yet the world did not recognize him, and his own people did not receive him. - John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Those who receive him and believe in his name are given the right to become God's children. - John 1:14 – 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's nativity statement: the Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. - John 1:16-17 – And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
From his fullness believers receive grace upon grace; the law came through Moses but grace and truth through Jesus. - John 3:16 – 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.
God's love for the world is shown by giving his only Son so that believers have eternal life. - John 3:17 – For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God sent his Son not to condemn the world but to save it. - Galatians 4:4-5 – But when the fulness 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.
At the right time God sent his Son, born of a woman and under the law, to redeem and make us his children. - Philippians 2:6-7 – 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:
Although he was in the form of God, Christ made himself nothing and took on human likeness as a servant. - Philippians 2:8-11 – And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ humbled himself to death on a cross, and God exalted him so every knee will bow. - Hebrews 1:1-2 – God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
After speaking through the prophets, God has spoken in these last days by his Son, through whom he made the world. - Hebrews 2:14 – Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Because people share flesh and blood, Christ shared it too, in order to break the power of death. - Hebrews 2:17 – Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
He became like his siblings in every way so he could be a merciful and faithful high priest. - 1 Timothy 1:15 – 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.
Paul calls it a trustworthy saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. - 1 Timothy 3:16 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
In what many see as an early Christian confession, Paul says God appeared in the flesh, calling it the great mystery of godliness. - Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The grace of God, bringing salvation, has appeared to all people. - Titus 3:4-5 – But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
When God's kindness and love appeared, he saved us through his mercy rather than our own works. - 1 John 4:9 – In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
God's love was revealed in sending his only Son into the world so we might live through him. - 1 John 4:14 – And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
John testifies that the Father sent the Son to be Savior of the world. - 1 John 3:8 – He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil. - 2 Corinthians 8:9 – For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Though rich, Christ became poor for our sake so that we could become rich through his poverty. - 2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Paul ends his giving appeal with thanks to God for his indescribable gift. - Romans 8:3 – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Where the law was powerless, God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to deal with sin. - Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Jesus calls himself the root and offspring of David and the bright morning star. - Luke 19:10 – For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus says he came to seek and save the lost, summing up the purpose of his coming.
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