Looking for a short Christmas Bible verse for a card, a gift tag or the dinner table? These are the verses Christians have read at Christmas for centuries, all in the NIV and grouped so you can find the right one fast: very short verses for cards, the birth of Jesus, Christmas verses about peace, love, and hope and light.
Every verse here is quoted word for word from the New International Version. Copy the one you need, or save the list for the next time you’re stuck staring at a blank card.
Writing a card right now? 5 short Christmas verses that fit anywhere
- 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (NIV)
- Matthew 2:10, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” (NIV)
- 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” (NIV)
- John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (NIV)
- Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (NIV)
Short Christmas Bible verses for cards
These fit on a small card or tag. Add a line like “Merry Christmas, praying God’s peace over your home” and you’re done.
1. 2 Corinthians 9:15
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
2. Matthew 2:10
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”
Matthew 2:10 (NIV)
3. 1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 (NIV)
4. John 1:5
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 (NIV)
5. Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
6. Psalm 118:24
“The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Christmas Bible verses about the birth of Jesus
These tell the Christmas story itself. They’re perfect for reading aloud on Christmas Eve or before opening gifts.
7. 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 (NIV)
8. Matthew 1:23
“”The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”
Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
9. Luke 2:7
“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 2:7 (NIV)
10. Luke 2:10-11
“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 2:10-11 (NIV)
11. Luke 2:19
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19 (NIV)
12. 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, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”
Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)
13. 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 (NIV)
Christmas Bible verses about peace
For anyone heading into the holidays anxious, tired or stretched thin, these are a reminder that Jesus is called the Prince of Peace for a reason.
14. Luke 2:14
“”Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.””
Luke 2:14 (NIV)
15. 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.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
16. Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Want more? See our full list of Bible verses about peace, or our prayer for peace if the holidays feel heavy.
Christmas Bible verses about God’s love
17. 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.”
John 3:16 (NIV)
18. 1 John 4:9
“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.”
1 John 4:9 (NIV)
19. Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
Titus 2:11 (NIV)
20. Romans 5:5
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:5 (NIV)
Christmas Bible verses about hope and light
Christmas falls in the darkest weeks of the year in much of the world. These verses are for anyone who needs the light to come back on.
21. 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 (NIV)
22. John 8:12
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12 (NIV)
23. 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.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
24. 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 (NIV)
If this Christmas is a hard one, our Bible verses about hope and prayers for grieving during the holidays may help.
A short Christmas prayer to go with your verse
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to us as a baby in a manger, small enough to hold and strong enough to save. As I write these cards and wrap these gifts, keep my heart on You. Let every verse I share carry Your peace to the person who reads it. Amen.
For prayers to read aloud with the people you love, see our Christmas prayers for family.
Ways to use Christmas Bible verses this season
- Christmas cards: pick one short verse and add a personal line under it.
- Gift tags: 2 Corinthians 9:15 or Matthew 2:10 fit on almost any tag.
- Dinner table: print verses as place cards and have each person read theirs before the meal. Our free printable Bible verse cards work well for this.
- Lock screen: set one verse as your phone wallpaper for December.
- One verse a day: read one verse from this list each morning from December 1 to Christmas Eve.
Want something peaceful in your inbox while you count down to Christmas? Get 7 Nights of Peace, a free short bedtime prayer each night for a week. And if Christmas music helps you slow down, try Live Him Worship.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortest Christmas Bible verse?
Among the classic Christmas verses, Matthew 2:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:15 are two of the shortest. Each is a single short sentence that fits on any card or gift tag.
What is the main Bible verse for Christmas?
Luke 2:10-11, where the angel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, and Isaiah 9:6, which calls Him Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, are the most widely read Christmas verses.
What Bible verse can I write in a Christmas card?
Try John 3:16, Luke 2:14, 1 John 4:19 or Numbers 6:24-26 for a blessing. Add a short personal note so the verse feels like it was chosen for them.
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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.