Today we will talk about bible verses about Christmas in the Old Testament. Many Christians may not realize that the essence of Christmas—and the coming Messiah—has roots in the Old Testament. These ancient scriptures set the stage for the incredible event of Christ’s birth, highlighting God’s promises and prophecies that filled the hearts of His people with hope. As we delve into these verses, let us embrace the spirit of joy and anticipation that Christmas brings, reflecting on God’s unwavering plan for salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s word.
Bible Verses About Christmas Old Testament
The Prophecy of a Savior
In this sacred season, we remember that God’s love for us is expressed through His prophetic messages in the Old Testament. These verses, often filled with beautiful imagery and heartfelt promises, tell us long before Jesus was born that God was preparing a way for our salvation. When we look at these prophecies, we see how they were beautifully fulfilled in the New Testament, reminding us of God’s faithfulness. Each promise was like a thread woven into the fabric of the story of Christ’s coming, bringing us hope and joy.
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
Preparation for Christ’s Birth
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we can reflect on how God prepared the world for the coming of Jesus. These verses depict the preparations made by God long before the actual event. We can marvel at how He orchestrated history, events, and lives so that the coming of Jesus would fulfill what was already written. It makes our own preparations for Christmas more meaningful when we remember how intentional God has always been in making a way for us to know Him through His Son.
Isaiah 40:3
“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'” – Isaiah 40:3
Isaiah 62:11
“The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.'” – Isaiah 62:11
Isaiah 52:7
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” – Isaiah 52:7
Zechariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9
Psalm 98:3
“He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” – Psalm 98:3
The Promise of Joy
Christmas is a time of joy, and this joy is foretold in the Old Testament! The scriptures speak of a joy that comes with the birth of the Savior. As we read these verses, we are reminded that our joy is based not solely on our circumstances but on the promise that God is with us. This joy is like a beautiful gift that we unwrap every year, reminding us of His goodness and grace. We can celebrate and share this joy with one another, especially during the Christmas season.
Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5
Isaiah 12:3
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” – Isaiah 12:3
Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17
Psalm 126:3
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” – Psalm 126:3
Isaiah 61:10
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.” – Isaiah 61:10
The Light of the World
Jesus is often referred to as the Light, and this theme begins in the Old Testament. The scriptures paint a picture of a world in darkness that will see the bright light of salvation through Christ. As we think about His light, it gives us hope, comfort, and guidance. Just as a candle flickers in the darkness, Jesus offers us His light when we walk through life’s challenges. This is a powerful reminder that Christ came to illuminate our lives with His love.
Isaiah 9:2
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2
Malachi 4:2
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.” – Malachi 4:2
Isaiah 49:6
“He says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.'” – Isaiah 49:6
Isaiah 60:1
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” – Isaiah 60:1
Psalms 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalms 119:105
The Role of Shepherds
Shepherds are often highlighted in the nativity story, reminding us of their humble role during Jesus’ birth. This metaphor finds its roots in the Old Testament, where God describes Himself as a shepherd. The idea of a shepherd caring for his flock is a reflection of how God looks after us. We should embrace our roles as shepherds in our lives, guiding and caring for our loved ones just as God cares for each of us. It encourages us to nurture and support those around us, especially during the Christmas season.
Genesis 48:15
“Then he blessed Joseph and said, ‘May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day.'” – Genesis 48:15
Psalms 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” – Psalms 23:1
Jeremiah 31:10
“Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’” – Jeremiah 31:10
Ezekiel 34:11
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” – Ezekiel 34:11
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
God’s Message of Peace
The Old Testament contains numerous verses that speak of peace. During Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Peace, and these scriptures foreshadow the peace He would bring. God’s messages of peace are not limited to the absence of conflict but extend deeply into our hearts and minds. They remind us that we can experience a profound calmness amidst life’s storms. As we seek this peace, we can share it with others, acting as carriers of God’s peace during this joyous season.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” – Isaiah 9:7
Psalm 29:11
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 12:20
“Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.” – Proverbs 12:20
God’s Faithfulness
As we reflect on the Christmas story, we see God’s incredible faithfulness to His people. The Old Testament is filled with reminders of how God kept His promises, leading to the miraculous birth of Jesus. We can take comfort in knowing that God’s word is true, and His promises are trustworthy. In our own lives, as we face uncertainty, remembering God’s faithfulness gives us strength. This Christmas, we can celebrate not just the birth of Jesus but also the unshakeable faithfulness of our God who always comes through on His promises.
Deuteronomy 7:9
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” – Deuteronomy 7:9
Psalm 89:1
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” – Psalm 89:1
1 Kings 8:56
“Praise be to the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” – 1 Kings 8:56
Psalm 145:13
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations; the Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” – Psalm 145:13
Isaiah 25:1
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” – Isaiah 25:1
The Significance of Giving
Gift-giving during Christmas reflects a beautiful principle found in the Old Testament, where generosity and love towards others hold great significance. Through the stories of sacrifice and gifts given to God, we learn the value of loving through our actions. This season, we are reminded that the ultimate gift—Jesus Christ—was given to us not because of our worthiness, but because of God’s love. As we give to others, we embrace this spirit of giving and create an atmosphere filled with love, warmth, and community.
Exodus 35:5
“From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver, and bronze.” – Exodus 35:5
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
Psalms 37:21
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalms 37:21
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
Final Thoughts
As we’ve journeyed through these Old Testament verses about Christmas, we’ve reflected on the incredible depth of God’s plan for our redemption. Each verse has shown us how intertwined the prophecies and promises are with the birth of Christ. Together, we have discovered themes of joy, light, peace, and faithfulness that challenge and inspire us. Through the spirit of giving, we also connect with others and reflect God’s love during this meaningful season. Let’s carry these messages in our hearts as we celebrate Christmas, sharing the hope and love of our Savior with the world around us.
This Christmas, let us remember the true reason behind the season—Jesus Christ—and cherish the profound significance of His birth. May we embody the spirit of joy and giving, and may our hearts be aligned with the promises found in the Scriptures, living out the faithfulness He demonstrates to us every day.
As we look forward with excitement, let’s spread this good news and share the joy of salvation that Christmas signifies. Happy Holidays!
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
