By Feran, Founder of DigibleReviewed November 2026
Christmas Bible Verses for Journaling
Here are 25 Christmas Bible verses that tell the story of Jesus' birth, from the first promises in Isaiah to the shepherds in Luke and the meaning of it all in John. Each verse has its full text and a simple journaling idea, so you can letter it, write it on a card or journal it beside the Bible page.
Want to journal one a day? Our Advent Bible reading plan walks through the whole story from 29 November to Christmas Day, and our free sticker packs include a Christmas set for your pages.
The promise
Hundreds of years before Bethlehem, God told His people a Saviour was coming.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Journaling idea: Letter the four names of Jesus around a simple star.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
Journaling idea: Write Immanuel large in the margin and add "God with us" underneath.
Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Journaling idea: Sketch a tiny town on a hill and write "small places, big promises".
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Journaling idea: Highlight "Arise, shine" in gold and journal where His light reached you this year.
The announcement
An angel visits Mary and Joseph, and both say yes to God.
Luke 1:30-31
So the angel told her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
Journaling idea: Write "Do not be afraid" and list the fears you are giving to God this Christmas.
Luke 1:35
The angel replied, The Holy Spirit will come upon 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.
Journaling idea: Underline "the Holy One" and write what holy means to you in one sentence.
Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.
Journaling idea: A favourite for hand lettering. Pair it with a list of answered prayers.
Luke 1:46-47
Then Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
Journaling idea: Write your own short Magnificat: three lines praising what God has done.
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.
Journaling idea: Highlight "He will save His people" and journal what He has saved you from.
Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means, "God with us").
Journaling idea: Draw a small heart and write the places you want to remember God with you.
The birth
Shepherds, angels and wise men meet the newborn King.
Luke 2:7
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Journaling idea: Draw a simple manger and write what you will make room for this season.
Luke 2:10-11
But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
Journaling idea: Letter "good news of great joy" with a burst of lines around it.
Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!"
Journaling idea: Add an angel sticker and write a line of praise of your own.
Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Journaling idea: Make a list titled "What I am treasuring" in the margin.
Matthew 2:2
asking, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
Journaling idea: Draw a star and write how God led you to Him.
Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Journaling idea: Sketch three gifts and label the gifts you want to bring to Jesus.
Luke 2:30-32
For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.
Journaling idea: Simeon waited his whole life. Write about something you are waiting on God for.
Why He came
The meaning of Christmas, in the words of the apostles.
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 from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Journaling idea: Letter "the Word became flesh" and journal what God coming close means to you.
John 1:5
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Journaling idea: Shade the margin dark and leave the words of the verse light.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Journaling idea: The best known verse in the Bible. Circle every word that is a gift.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the 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 our adoption as sons.
Journaling idea: Highlight "adoption as sons" and write a thank you note as God's child.
Philippians 2:6-7
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Journaling idea: Write "He emptied Himself" and journal about humility at Christmas.
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
Journaling idea: Write grace in large letters and list where you saw it this year.
1 John 4:9
This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
Journaling idea: Draw a gift tag and write "so that we might live through Him" on it.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Journaling idea: Write "Thanks be to God" and list His gifts to you this year.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.
Christmas journaling ideas
- A verse a day. Journal one of these 25 verses each day from 1 to 25 December.
- Letter the names of Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 gives four: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Our Scripture lettering guide shows simple styles.
- Colour-code the story. Highlight promises in one colour and fulfilments in another as you read Luke 1 to 2. Our colour coding guide has a key to start with.
- Make a gift page. Write 2 Corinthians 9:15 at the top and list the gifts God gave you this year.
- Add Christmas stickers. Stars, holly and a nativity scene make a page feel like Christmas. Get them free in our Christmas sticker pack.
Christmas Bible Verses FAQs
What is the main Christmas verse in the Bible?
Luke 2:10-11 is the heart of the Christmas story: the angel tells the shepherds a Saviour has been born in the city of David. Isaiah 9:6 and John 3:16 are the other verses most people think of at Christmas.
Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?
The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew 1 to 2 and Luke 1 to 2. Luke tells Mary's side, the shepherds and the angels; Matthew tells Joseph's side and the wise men. John 1:1-14 tells the same story from heaven's view: the Word became flesh.
What Bible verse is good for a Christmas card?
Short verses work best: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:10-11, Luke 2:14, Matthew 1:23, John 1:14 or 2 Corinthians 9:15 ("Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!").
How do I journal Christmas Bible verses?
Pick one verse a day in December. Letter it, draw a small picture beside it and write one line about what it means to you this year. Digible is the best Bible journaling app for this: you write and draw right on the verse with Apple Pencil on iPad or a stylus on an Android tablet, and add Christmas stickers to the page.