Summary

Bible verse for christmas card

Bible verse for christmas card

The Message of the Manger: 65 Best Bible Verses for Your Christmas Cards

 

In a world filled with commercial noise, a Christmas card is a quiet opportunity to speak truth. When we send a card, we are not just sending a greeting; we are sending a blessing. Whether you are writing to a devout believer, a secular friend, or someone going through a difficult season, the Word of God offers the perfect sentiment.

Below is a curated collection of 65 Bible verses specifically selected for their suitability for Christmas cards, divided by theme to help you find the perfect match.

I. The Classic Prophecies (The Promise)

These verses are perfect for traditional, elegant cards focusing on the sacred history of Christmas.

1. 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.”

2. 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.”

3. 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 is to be ruler over Israel.”

4. Numbers 24:17 – “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”

5. Isaiah 11:1 – “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”

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.”

7. Isaiah 40:3 – “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

8. Isaiah 60:1 – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

9. Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious.”

10. 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.”

II. The Nativity Story (The Narrative)

Ideal for cards featuring the manger, shepherds, or the nativity scene.

11. Luke 2:11 – “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

12. Luke 2:14 – “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

13. Matthew 1:21 – “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.”

14. Matthew 1:23 – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).”

15. 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.'”

16. Matthew 2:10 – “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

17. Matthew 2:11 – “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”

18. Luke 2:19 – “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

19. 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.”

20. Luke 1:37 – “For no word from God will ever fail.”

III. Short & Sweet (For Small Cards)

Perfect for photo cards or when space is limited.

21. 2 Corinthians 9:15 – “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

22. James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”

23. Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

24. 1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.”

25. Luke 2:14 – “Glory to God in the highest.”

26. Matthew 2:2 – “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

27. John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world.”

28. Psalm 96:11 – “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.”

29. 1 Corinthians 16:14 – “Do everything in love.”

30. 1 John 4:9 – “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son.”

IV. Peace and Hope (For Difficult Times)

For recipients who have had a hard year, grieving, or are lonely.

31. Romans 15:13 – “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.”

32. John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

33. John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

34. Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

35. Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

36. Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

37. Psalm 46:10 – “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.'”

38. 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.”

39. Psalm 72:7 – “In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.”

40. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

V. The Theology of Love & Salvation

Verses explaining WHY Jesus came.

41. John 3:16 – “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.”

42. 1 John 4:10 – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

43. Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

44. Galatians 4:4-5 – “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.”

45. 1 Timothy 1:15 – “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

46. Titus 3:4-5 – “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

47. Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

48. 2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

49. 1 John 5:11 – “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

50. Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

VI. Joy and Celebration

For cheerful, festive cards.

51. Psalm 98:4 – “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”

52. Psalm 100:1 – “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.”

53. Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

54. 1 Peter 1:8 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him… and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

55. Psalm 126:3 – “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

56. Nehemiah 8:10 – “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

57. Luke 1:46-47 – “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

58. Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

59. Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

60. Jude 1:24 – “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”

VII. Blessings for the New Year

Looking forward to the future.

61. 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.'”

62. Numbers 6:24-26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

63. Psalm 121:8 – “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

64. Psalm 20:4 – “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

65. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

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25 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Christmas Card Verses

 

Q1: Should I put a Bible verse on a card for a non-religious friend? A: Yes, if done with sensitivity. Choose verses about peace, hope, or love (like Isaiah 9:6 “Prince of Peace” or 2 Cor 9:15 “Indescribable gift”) rather than heavy theological texts about sin. It shares your faith without being preachy.

Q2: What is the most popular Christmas verse? A: Luke 2:11 (“Today in the town of David…”) and Isaiah 9:6 (“For unto us a child is born…”) are the two most widely used verses.

Q3: How do I write a Christmas card for someone who is grieving? A: Avoid “Merry Christmas.” Use “Thinking of you this season.” Pair it with a verse like John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you) or Matthew 5:4 (Blessed are those who mourn). Acknowledge that the season might be hard.

Q4: Can I use a verse from the Old Testament for Christmas? A: Absolutely. Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah, Micah) are powerful because they show God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. They add depth and history to the card.

Q5: Which Bible translation should I use for cards? A: The NIV is great for readability. The KJV is classic and poetic, often preferred for very traditional cards. The ESV is good for accuracy. Choose the one that flows best with your design.

Q6: Is it okay to shorten a Bible verse? A: Yes, as long as you do not change the meaning. Using ellipses (…) to show you skipped a section is grammatically correct. Example: “Glory to God in the highest… and on earth peace.”

Q7: What is a good verse for a business or corporate Christmas card? A: Stick to universal themes of peace and goodwill. Luke 2:14 (“On earth peace, good will toward men”) is professional yet meaningful.

Q8: How do I sign a religious Christmas card? A: “Blessings,” “In His Grace,” “Joyfully,” or “Christ’s Peace” are all excellent closings before your name.

Q9: What verse pairs well with a photo of a baby? A: 1 Samuel 1:27 (“For this child I prayed”) or James 1:17 (“Every good and perfect gift is from above”) are beautiful for a baby’s first Christmas card.

Q10: What is the “Magnificat”? A: It is Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46-55. Using a line from this (“My soul glorifies the Lord”) is very appropriate, especially for cards focusing on Mary.

Q11: Are there funny Bible verses for Christmas cards? A: Not explicitly. However, Proverbs 17:22 says “A cheerful heart is good medicine,” which fits a humorous family photo.

Q12: What is the meaning of “Immanuel”? A: It means “God with us.” Using Matthew 1:23 is a powerful reminder that God is not distant, but present in our lives.

Q13: Can I use a verse about light? A: Yes, light is a central Christmas theme. John 8:12 or Isaiah 9:2 are perfect, especially for cards with photos of Christmas lights or candles.

Q14: What if I don’t have room for a whole verse? A: Use a fragment as a design element. “Joy to the World,” “Prince of Peace,” or “God With Us” are scriptural phrases that work well as headlines.

Q15: Is it appropriate to put the verse on the envelope? A: Yes, putting a short verse or “Glory to God” on the back flap of the envelope is a lovely, subtle touch.

Q16: What verse focuses on the “Gift” of Jesus? A: 2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Q17: How can I make the verse stand out? A: Use a different font, color (gold or red), or hand-write the verse even if the rest of the card is printed.

Q18: What is a good verse for military families at Christmas? A: Joshua 1:9 (“The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”) or Psalm 91 are comforting for those separated by deployment.

Q19: Can I quote a Christmas carol instead of the Bible? A: Yes, many carols are based on scripture. “Joy to the World” is based on Psalm 98. Quoting a carol is often very recognizable and touching.

Q20: What verse explains the “Star of Bethlehem”? A: Matthew 2:2 or Numbers 24:17 (“A star shall come out of Jacob”).

Q21: Is it okay to use a verse about the Second Coming at Christmas? A: Advent is actually about both comings of Christ. Revelation 22:20 (“Come, Lord Jesus”) fits the season of anticipation perfectly.

Q22: What verse works for a “New Year” themed Christmas card? A: Revelation 21:5 (“Behold, I make all things new”) or Jeremiah 29:11.

Q23: Why is John 1:14 so important for Christmas? A: It describes the “Incarnation”—God becoming human flesh. It is the theological depth behind the baby in the manger.

Q24: What is a good verse for children to write in cards? A: Luke 2:11 is simple and tells the whole story. “Today… a Savior has been born.”

Q25: How do I choose between “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas”? A: If you are including a Bible verse, “Merry Christmas” or “Blessed Christmas” is more coherent. The verse defines the holiday.

15 Practical Tips for Using Bible Verses Daily

Applying these verses goes beyond just printing them on a card. Here is how to weave them into your daily life during the Advent season:

1. The Advent Calendar: Write 25 of these verses on slips of paper. Put them in your Advent calendar. Read one each morning with your family.

2. Gift Tags: Don’t just write “To/From.” Write a short verse reference (e.g., “James 1:17”) on every gift tag you wrap.

3. Social Media Bio: Change your bio to a Christmas verse (like Isaiah 9:6) for the month of December.

4. Email Signature: Add a subtle verse like “Glory to God in the highest” to your email signature during the holidays.

5. The “Verse at the Table”: Place a printed verse at each place setting for Christmas dinner. Ask guests to read theirs aloud before the meal.

6. Mirror Messages: Use a dry-erase marker to write a verse of hope (like Luke 1:37) on your bathroom mirror to see first thing in the morning.

7. Car Dashboard: Put an index card with a peace-filled verse (John 14:27) in your car to combat traffic stress during holiday shopping.

8. Memorization Challenge: Challenge your family to memorize Luke 2:10-11 together.

9. Handwritten Notes: If you tip a server, mail carrier, or delivery driver, include a small card with a verse like 2 Corinthians 9:15.

10. Ornament Craft: Write references on strips of paper, curl them, and put them inside clear glass ornaments for your tree.

11. Screensaver: Create a graphic of your favorite verse and set it as your phone lock screen for December.

12. Prayer Prompt: Use the verse as a prayer starter. If the verse is “Prince of Peace,” pray for peace in specific conflict zones or relationships.

13. Baker’s Dozen: If you bake cookies for neighbors, attach a tag with Psalm 34:8 (“Taste and see that the Lord is good”).

14. Text Message Ministry: Send one verse text message a week during Advent to a friend who is struggling.

15. Journaling: Spend 5 minutes each morning journaling about one word from a Christmas verse (e.g., “Pondered,” “Rejoice,” “Light”).