10 Bible verses that tell the true story of Christmas

Christmas is a day of celebration—a day marking the arrival of the Christ child, the King of Kings, who was born alongside livestock. Man right here, with us. 

Perhaps more than any other story, the story of the first Christmas has connected with people for millennia.

Every year, we tell of the baby born in a manger, with angels announcing his birth to shepherds and men traveling long distances to see him. 

So what is the story of peace and goodwill—the story of love?

Read these 10 Bible verses that tell the story of Christ’s birth to remember what Christmas is really all about.

1. A prophecy foretold of Jesus’ birth long before it happened.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

2. A young woman receives news that would change the course of history. 

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end’” (Luke 1:26-33).

3. Mary’s betrothed makes the choice to embrace God’s plan.

“‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew: 1:20-23).

4. We’re promised this child—the King to come—is trustworthy.

“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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

5. Leaders of the day issue a requirement that means Mary and Joseph must travel.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register (Luke 2:1-3).

6. Mary and Joseph begin their journey.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:4-6).

7. Shepherds are the first people to hear the glorious news.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘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 2:8-11).

8. The Shepherds decide to go see for themselves.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:13-15).

9. They told everyone what they had seen and heard. 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told (Luke 2:16-20).

10. We all are given the chance to believe.

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).

Read the full story of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:1-20.

Do Good:

• Shop our Reverse Gift Guide and give with a specific person in mind. Send this card to their door to make sure they feel loved and perhaps get them to give help and hope, too.
• See how you can help The Salvation Army Rescue Christmas this year.
• Listen to the Do Gooders Podcast season out now on Savoring Simplicity this Advent, including an episode on how The Salvation Army is rescuing Christmas this year.
• Find a place to worship with The Salvation Army near you.