10 Christmas Bible verses for kids (with what they mean)
The best Christmas verses for kids are short and tell the story: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:7, Luke 2:10-11, Luke 2:14, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 2:10, John 1:14, John 3:16 and John 8:12. Learn one a night in December.
These are quoted from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation, so you can print them for your family or class. Each one comes with a sentence you can say to a five-year-old.
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. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
What it means: Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God promised a special baby who would be King.
2. Matthew 1:21
"She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins."
What it means: The name Jesus tells us why he came: to save us.
3. Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, 'God with us.'"
What it means: At Christmas, God came to be with us.
4. Luke 2:7
"She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn."
What it means: The King of everything was born in a humble place, with animals nearby.
5. Luke 2:10-11
"Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David's city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
What it means: The angel's news was for everyone, including you.
6. Luke 2:14
"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."
What it means: The angels sang praise to God. We can sing too.
7. Matthew 2:10
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy."
What it means: The wise men were so happy to find Jesus. We can be happy to know him too.
8. John 1:14
"The Word became flesh, and lived among us."
What it means: God's Son became a real baby, a person like us.
9. John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
What it means: Jesus is God's best gift, given because God loves us.
10. John 8:12
"I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
What it means: That's why we light candles and stars at Christmas: Jesus is the light.
How do I help my child memorize a verse?
Pick one verse a week, say it at the same time every day (supper works well), and let your child color a picture of it while you say it together. Short verses like Luke 2:14 and Matthew 2:10 are easiest for ages 5 to 8.
Which translation should we use?
Use the one your church reads. We quote the World English Bible here because it's in the public domain, so anyone can print and share these verses freely.