Today we will talk about verses leading up to Christmas. Many Christians do not know what this means. The verses in the Bible that pertain to the Christmas story are filled with love, hope, and anticipation. They bring us closer to the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, which changed the world forever. As we read through these verses, let us meditate on their meanings and how they connect to the spirit of Christmas. This time of year isn’t just about gifts and celebrations; it’s about the incredible gift of Jesus Himself! So, let’s dive into God’s Word together and cherish the precious messages that lead us to this beautiful season.
Bible Verses About Verses Leading Up to Christmas
Prophecies of Christ’s Birth
In the journey of faith, we reflect on the prophecies that foretold the arrival of Jesus Christ. These verses remind us that God has a plan, and He reveals it long before it comes to fruition. As we read these prophecies, we realize that God’s promises are sure, and His timing is perfect. The birth of Christ was not a random event; it was a fulfillment of what was foretold many years before. With anticipation, we see how God orchestrated His divine plan for humanity. Christmas is a celebration of that promise coming to life!
Isaiah 7:14
“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
Micah 5:2
“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
Isaiah 9:6
“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
Jeremiah 23:5
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” – Jeremiah 23:5
Isaiah 11:1
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” – Isaiah 11:1
Annunciation to Mary
As we explore the story leading up to Christmas, we come to the moment when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive the Savior. This moment is powerful and life-changing, not just for Mary but for all of humanity. It reminds us that God chooses ordinary people for His extraordinary purposes. We, too, are called to respond to God’s invitations and to embrace the opportunities that come our way. Mary’s faith and bravery in accepting this great responsibility inspire us to say “yes” to God’s plans for our lives.
Luke 1:26-28
“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.'” – Luke 1:26-28
Luke 1:30-31
“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.'” – Luke 1:30-31
Luke 1:34-35
“‘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.'” – Luke 1:34-35
Luke 1:38
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” – Luke 1:38
Matthew 1:20-21
“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.'” – Matthew 1:20-21
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
The connection between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth is a beautiful sign of friendship, support, and shared joy. When Mary visited Elizabeth, both women were filled with the Holy Spirit and expressed their faith. Their encounter reminds us of the importance of community and sharing our experiences, especially those connected to God’s work in our lives. Just as they were filled with joy, we can find encouragement in one another, celebrating God’s goodness and the wonderful things He is doing. This Christmas season, let’s reach out and uplift those around us!
Luke 1:39-40
“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.” – Luke 1:39-40
Luke 1:41-42
“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!'” – Luke 1:41-42
Luke 1:43
“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” – Luke 1:43
Luke 1:44
“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” – Luke 1:44
Luke 1:45
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” – Luke 1:45
The Birth of Jesus
The moment of Jesus’ birth is the very heart of the Christmas story. It’s filled with wonder and amazement as God stepped into our world as a tiny baby. This incredible act of humility and love shows us just how much we are cherished. Christmas is about celebrating this amazing gift, and understanding that God craves a personal relationship with each of us. As we reflect on that night in Bethlehem, we get a glimpse of the divine love that was born among us—an invitation to embrace the holiday spirit with gratitude and joy!
Luke 2:6-7
“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 2:6-7
Luke 2:8
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” – Luke 2:8
Luke 2:9-10
“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.'” – Luke 2:9-10
Luke 2:11
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
Luke 2:12
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12
The Shepherds’ Visit
The shepherds were the first outsiders to hear about Jesus’ birth, which is a beautiful reminder that God’s love reaches everyone. Their humble status as shepherds shows us that we do not need to achieve greatness to access God’s love. In fact, those who are open and willing to listen are often the ones who receive His grace most profoundly. When the shepherds hurried to see the newborn King, they took action based on faith and obedience. This Christmas, let us also respond to God’s call and share the news of His love with joy!
Luke 2:15
“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 2:15
Luke 2:16
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:16
Luke 2:17
“When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” – Luke 2:17
Luke 2:18
“And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” – Luke 2:18
Luke 2:19
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19
The Wise Men’s Journey
The journey of the wise men is a captivating tale of faith and determination. They traveled far and wide, guided by a star, seeking the newborn King. This reminds us that sometimes our path may not be straightforward, and it requires perseverance. The Magi’s willingness to bring gifts illustrates an important part of Christmas: giving. Just as they brought gifts to honor Jesus, we can offer our hearts and talents in service to others. As we prepare for Christmas, let us also seek Jesus with all our hearts and be willing to share what we have.
Matthew 2:1-2
“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.'” – Matthew 2:1-2
Matthew 2:9-10
“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.” – Matthew 2:9-10
Matthew 2:11
“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 2:11
Matthew 2:12
“And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” – Matthew 2:12
Matthew 2:13
“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.'” – Matthew 2:13
Angelic Messages
The numerous messages from angels throughout the Christmas story serve as reminders that God directly interacts with humanity. The angelic visitations signified that heavenly intervention exists and reassures us that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us. These messages didn’t just bring news but offered comfort and assurance during times of fear and uncertainty. This Christmas season, let us also be open to God’s direction in our lives and be encouraged by the angels’ reassuring words of peace and hope!
Luke 2:9
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” – Luke 2:9
Luke 2:10
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'” – Luke 2:10
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” – Luke 2:14
Matthew 1:20
“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…'” – Matthew 1:20
Matthew 1:24
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” – Matthew 1:24
The Glory of God Revealed
The Christmas story is a glorious display of God’s love made manifest in Jesus. The glory that surrounded the birth of Christ signifies that God’s presence is among us. This revelation invites us to experience God’s glory daily, allowing it to shine through our lives. Christmas is a time for us to reflect on how we, too, can glorify God by sharing love, kindness, and gratitude with the world around us. As we celebrate His goodness, let’s remember to be vessels of His glory and share the light with others!
Luke 2:13-14
“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!'” – Luke 2:13-14
John 1:14
“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
Romans 15:9
“So that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of Your name.'” – Romans 15:9
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
2 Corinthians 4:6
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6
Final Thoughts
As we meditate on these verses leading up to Christmas, I am filled with joy and gratitude. God’s promises and His love for us shine brightly through the stories we’ve explored. Each subtopic helps remind us of the various facets of this holy season—from the prophecies of Christ’s coming to the moments shared between Mary and Elizabeth and the visits of the shepherds and wise men. We are encouraged to share this incredible news with others and embrace the spirit of giving, love, and community during this magical time of year.
May we take these lessons to heart, allowing the wonder of Christmas to transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. Let us remember to spread joy and love, to be guided by His light, and to glorify Him in all we do. As we celebrate Christmas, may our hearts resonate with the hope and peace that Jesus brings into the world, a gift we are all invited to unwrap and experience.
This season, let’s continuously reflect and act on the messages we’ve gathered. Each scripture reminds us that God is with us and that the Christmas story is as relevant today as it was over two thousand years ago. Joyfully, let us go forth, sharing the love of Christ that was born on that holy night, now and always. Amen!
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
