Christmas is a time of celebration and reflection for Christians around the world. It is the time when we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, whose coming fulfilled God’s promises and changed the course of history. Christmas morning, in particular, is a special moment for believers as we pause to reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth. It is a moment for prayer, worship, and Scripture reading, as we focus on the story of the nativity and what it means for our lives today.
In this article, we will explore 20 Bible readings that are perfect for Christmas morning. These passages highlight the miraculous birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the hope that Jesus’ birth brings to the world. These scriptures offer joy, peace, and inspiration, making them ideal to read on Christmas morning, whether you’re gathered with family, alone, or with friends.
Let these readings enrich your understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, guiding your thoughts toward Christ and His transformative love.
1. Luke 2:1-7 – The Birth of Jesus
“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. 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.”
The passage that tells of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is the heart of the Christmas story. This Scripture reminds us that the Savior came in humble circumstances, not in a royal palace, but in a simple manger. Reading this passage on Christmas morning can help you reflect on the humility and love of Christ.
2. Matthew 1:18-25 – The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘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’). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
This passage gives us insight into Joseph’s obedience to God’s calling. It also underscores the significance of the name “Jesus”—which means “the Lord saves”—and “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” Reading this passage on Christmas morning can remind us of God’s faithfulness and the powerful gift of salvation through Jesus.
3. Isaiah 9:6 – A Prophecy of the Messiah
“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.”
This Old Testament prophecy speaks of the Messiah’s birth and the characteristics that would define Him. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the one who would bring hope to the world. This reading is a beautiful reminder of the divine qualities of Jesus and the peace He brings.
4. John 1:1-14 – The Word Became Flesh
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 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’s Gospel gives us a beautiful, theological reflection on the birth of Jesus. It reminds us that Jesus is the eternal Word of God, who became flesh and dwelled among us. This passage emphasizes that the incarnation is not just an event in history—it is the very foundation of our salvation.
5. Luke 2:8-14 – The Shepherds and the Angels
“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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ 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.'”
The announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds is one of the most cherished parts of the Christmas story. It highlights the joy and peace that Christ’s birth brings to the world. This passage is perfect for a Christmas morning reading, reminding us that the birth of Jesus is a cause for great joy and praise.
6. Luke 1:26-38 – The Angel’s Visit to Mary
“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.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.”
This passage recounts the announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary. It emphasizes Mary’s obedience and trust in God’s plan. This is a beautiful passage for Christmas morning as it reflects the humble submission of Mary and the miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception.
7. Matthew 2:1-12 – The Visit of the Magi
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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.”
The visit of the Magi represents the international recognition of Jesus as King. Their worship and gifts are symbolic of the honor and reverence due to Christ. Reading this passage on Christmas morning can inspire you to offer your own worship and gifts to Jesus, recognizing Him as the true King.
8. Micah 5:2 – The Prophecy of Bethlehem
“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.”
This prophecy from Micah is significant as it foretells the birthplace of the Messiah—Bethlehem. It emphasizes that although Bethlehem was a small town, it would be the place from which the Savior would emerge. On Christmas morning, this verse reminds us that God’s plan often unfolds in ways we might not expect, and that His greatness shines through humble beginnings.
9. Galatians 4:4-5 – The Birth of Christ
“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.”
This passage from Galatians focuses on the purpose of Christ’s birth: redemption and adoption into the family of God. It highlights God’s perfect timing in sending His Son to fulfill His plan of salvation for humanity. Reading this passage on Christmas morning allows you to reflect on the deep theological significance of Jesus’ birth—He came to redeem us, making us sons and daughters of God.
10. Philippians 2:6-11 – Christ’s Humility and Exaltation
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2 speaks of the incredible humility of Jesus, who, despite being fully God, took on human form and ultimately gave His life for the salvation of humanity. This passage is a powerful reminder of the self-sacrificial love of Christ that is displayed in His birth and death. On Christmas morning, consider how this humble act of God becoming human sets the tone for His entire ministry.
11. John 3:16 – God’s Love Revealed in Christ
“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.”
This well-known verse captures the essence of Christmas—God’s love manifested through the gift of His Son. Jesus’ birth is the first step in God’s plan to offer salvation to humanity. As you read this passage on Christmas morning, remember that Jesus came to offer the gift of eternal life to all who believe.
12. Romans 15:12-13 – The Hope of the Gentiles
“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
This passage connects Jesus’ birth to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically that He would be the hope not only for the Jewish people but for the Gentiles as well. Christmas is a celebration of the universal offer of salvation through Christ. As you reflect on this passage, let it remind you of the global impact of Jesus’ coming and the joy and peace He brings to all who trust in Him.
13. Isaiah 7:14 – A Sign of Immanuel
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
This prophecy from Isaiah is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. The name “Immanuel” means “God with us,” signifying that in Jesus, God Himself came to live among His people. This is a beautiful passage to read on Christmas morning, reminding you that the birth of Jesus was not just an event in history but a profound reality—God came to be with us, bringing hope, love, and salvation.
14. Luke 1:39-45 – Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!'”
This passage captures the excitement and joy that Mary and Elizabeth shared when they met. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes the significance of Mary’s pregnancy. Reading this passage on Christmas morning can inspire you to rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s promises, as both Mary and Elizabeth did.
15. Romans 5:15-17 – The Gift of Jesus
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”
This passage speaks of the gift of grace that came through Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of this great gift—the grace that offers justification and eternal life. On Christmas morning, this Scripture can remind you of the magnitude of the gift we celebrate at Christmas—the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
16. 1 John 4:9-10 – God’s Love Revealed in Jesus
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
This passage reflects on the deep love of God, expressed through the sending of His Son, Jesus. It is a reminder that Christmas is not just about the birth of a baby but about the love of God being revealed in a tangible way. As you read this on Christmas morning, reflect on the sacrificial love that Jesus embodied and how He came to redeem us.
17. Hebrews 1:1-3 – The Son of God
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
This passage highlights the divine nature of Jesus, affirming that He is the exact representation of God’s glory. It speaks of the profound truth that Jesus, the Son of God, is the one through whom all things were created. On Christmas morning, reading Hebrews 1:1-3 can help you reflect on the majesty and glory of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate.
18. 2 Corinthians 9:15 – The Indescribable Gift
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
This short but powerful verse speaks to the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s grace and love for humanity. Christmas morning is a time to give thanks for this precious gift, which is beyond measure and fully deserving of our praise and gratitude.
19. Matthew 2:13-15 – The Flight to Egypt
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.'”
This passage highlights God’s protection over the newborn Jesus. Even in the midst of danger, God provides a way for Jesus to be kept safe. It is a reminder that God is always watching over His children and fulfilling His promises, even when circumstances seem difficult.
20. Revelation 21:3-4 – The New Heaven and Earth
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'”
This passage from Revelation speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of the promise that God will dwell among His people. While Christmas celebrates the first coming of Christ, this verse points us to the hope of His second coming and the eternal peace He will bring. It is a beautiful conclusion to the Christmas story, reminding us of the future joy that awaits believers.
Conclusion
Christmas morning is a time to reflect on the profound mystery and beauty of God’s gift to humanity. As you read these Scriptures, let them deepen your understanding of Jesus’ birth and its significance in the grand story of redemption. These Bible readings remind us of the love, grace, humility, and hope that came to us in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of God’s plan to restore all things, and Christmas is a time to celebrate the incredible gift of salvation, peace, and eternal life through Christ. May this season fill your heart with joy, gratitude, and renewed hope in God’s promises.
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