25+ Short Christmas Bible Verses for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Here are short, easy-to-understanding Christmas Bible verses for preschoolers, toddlers and young children to learn about Jesus, who is the meaning of the holiday season. Use these Bible verses for Sunday School, Christmas programs, family devotions, and more.

25 Bible Verses about Christmas for Young Children

Here is a helpful list of Bible verses about Christmas that are suitable for toddlers and young children.

For each reference, we provide the full verse and an appropriate way to shorten the verse for a young child to understand, while still keeping the original intent and meaning.

Some short verses are an exact section of the Scripture reference, and others are a paraphrase. Choose a shortened version for toddlers and add a few more words for preschoolers. Elementary school children can read or memorize the entire verse.

We used the ESV (English Standard Version) translation for these verses. Other translations that are good for children are NIV (New International Version) and NLT (New Living Translation).

1. Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

This popular passage of Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah explains who Jesus would be. All parts of the Trinity are expressed here. Wonderful Counselor is the Holy Spirit, Everlasting Father is God the Father, and Prince of Peace is Jesus the Son. Together, they are Mighty God.

This passage is a wonderful way to begin a Christmas worship service or Children’s program.

2. Matthew 1:20 – The angel appeared to Joseph.

 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:20

Joseph was an honorable man and was going to quietly divorce Mary when he found out she was pregnant. Instead, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained that she was carrying the Christ child.

3. Matthew 1:21 – You shall call his name Jesus.

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

This passage is the first time in Scripture we learn that the Savior will have the name of Jesus.

Matthew 1 gives a genealogy of Jesus, showing his lineage from David and Abraham, as was foretold throughout the Old Testament. Then the story of Jesus is told, starting with an angel visiting Joseph in a dream and giving the message in Matthew 1:21.

Who is speaking in Matthew 1:21? The angel of the Lord who appeared to Joseph in a dream is giving the message in this Scripture verse.

4. Matthew 1:23a – The virgin shall conceive and bear a son.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son….

Matthew 1:23a

In this passage, the angel is speaking to Joseph and informs him that Mary will have a baby, even though she is a virgin. This virgin birth would fulfill an Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah.

For younger children, you may want to talk about the “miracle birth” instead of explaining what it means to be a virgin.

5. Matthew 1:23b – You will call his name Immanuel, which means God with us.

…and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23b

Rather than naming the baby boy in a traditional way (after the earthly Father), Jesus would be named for who He is as Savior of the world.

6. Luke 1:28 – The angel came to Mary.

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!

Luke 1:28

In Luke 1, we read the story of the angel visiting Mary. Mary is favored above all women because she was chosen by God to carry Jesus during her pregnancy and give birth to him.

7. Luke 1:30 – The angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid.”

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30

The angel tells Mary not to be afraid. She has found favor with God because she is faithful and willing to submit to His will.

8. Luke 1:38 – Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord.”

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:38

When the angel presents this message to Mary, she expresses that she is God’s servant, willing to do this amazing yet incredibly difficult task of giving birth to the Savior.

9. Luke 2:6 – The time came for her to give birth.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Luke 2:6

Because Cesar Augustus issued a decree that all people had to register to be taxed, Mary and Joseph were required to return to their hometown of Bethlehem. While they were there, the time came for Jesus to be born. (Luke 2:1)

10. Luke 2:7 – She gave birth…and laid him in a manger.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

This passage explains how the birth of Jesus took place. Because so many people were in town for the census, there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph.

Read this passage in Children’s programs while the characters of Mary and Joseph come to the front of the church, often carrying a baby doll wrapped in clothes that they place into a wooden manger.

11. Luke 2:8-9 – An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Luke 2:8-9

An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to declare the amazing news that Jesus was born.

12. Luke 2:10 – The angel said, “Fear not.”

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2:10

An angel spoke to the shepherds, telling them not to be afraid. This amazing news was for all people. Shepherds were poor and lowly, yet they are included in those that are told the message on the day of Jesus’ birth.

13. Luke 2:11 – Unto you is born this day a Savior.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

In Luke 2:11, an angel is giving the good news to the shepherds, that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

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

Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

Luke 2:14

Luke 2:13 says that suddenly there was no just one angel, but a whole sky, full of angels declaring God’s glory to the shepherds in their field, saying glory to God and peace on earth.

15. Luke 2:19 – Mary treasured all these things…in her heart.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

Luke 2:19

Mary treasured all these memories of Jesus’ coming into the world.

16. Luke 2:20 – The shepherds glorified and praised God.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:20

In Luke 2:16, we read that the shepherds then went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. They told many people what they had seen and heard.

17. Matthew 2:1 – Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.

Matthew 2:1

While we often tell the story of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds, and the magi together, in truth the wise men came to visit Jesus much later when the family was living in a home and Jesus was a toddler of 1-2 years old.

The visit from the wise men shows us that Jesus came for all people, both the poor (represented by the shepherds) and the rich (represented by the wise men).

18. Matthew 2:9b – Wise men saw the star.

“…And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.”

Matthew 2:9b

The wise men studied the stars and followed this special star to where Jesus was located.

19. Matthew 2:10 – The wise men rejoiced with great joy.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 

Matthew 2:10

The wise men were thrilled to see this star in their lifetime, and made plans to go and see the Savior, who for centuries had been prophesied to come.

20. Matthew 2:11 – The wise men offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 

Matthew 2:11

We traditionally show 3 wise men because there were 3 gifts, but in truth there was probably a large group of wise men who traveled together.

The valuable gifts were of important significance:

• Gold was a symbol that Jesus as a King.
• Frankincense was an expensive perfume which shows that Jesus is worth of worship and honor.
• Myrrh was used in embalming and foreshadows Jesus’ death for all people.

All the gifts were worthy of royalty.

21. John 1:9 – Jesus is the light of the world.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1:9

The first chapter of John explains that Jesus is part of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and has been with the Father and Holy Spirit since the creation of the World. John the Baptist proclaimed about Jesus’ coming. John wasn’t the Savior, but told people that Jesus, the light of the world, was coming.

Further in John chapter 1, we read in verse 14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

22. 2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for his gift!

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15

This letter written to the church in Corinth explains that we glorify God when we confess the gospel, which is the truth that Jesus came into the world as our Savior.

23. Luke 19:10 – Jesus came to save us.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10

This passage in Luke 19 clearly states that Jesus came to save lost people. We are also reminded that God seeks us out and desires for all people to be saved.

24. John 8:12 – Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Jesus, now an adult, says about himself that he is the light of the world. When we follow him, we do not walk in darkness. We have the light of life.

25. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

One of the most famous passages in all of Scripture, John 3:16 is the gospel in one verse. This Scripture passage is important for Christmas because it’s why Jesus came into the world as a baby. His mission was to suffer and die on the cross, then rise again, paying the price for the sins of all humanity. This is our greatest gift.

15+ Creative Ways to Use Christmas Bible Verses for Kids

Here are some ideas to use these important verses from God’s Word:

1. Sunday School class lessons
2. Sunday School Christmas program
3. Children’s Ministry
4. Create a list and post it to your church’s social media
5. Children’s Christmas play
6. Family devotions in December
7. Christmas cards
8. Christmas crafts
9. Children’s memory work
10. Homeschooling
11. DIY Advent calendar crafts
12. DIY Christmas gifts
13. Advent calendars
14. Advent devotions with wreath and candle lighting
15. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship servings
16. Children’s messages

These verses can be shared with toddlers to help them understand the significance of Christmas and the love and joy that Jesus’ birth brings to the world.

3 Meaningful Christmas Quotes (that are NOT Bible Verses)

Here are three meaningful Bible quotes about Christmas that are culturally popular but not actually in the Bible.

1. “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

While it’s true (and certainly a Biblical concept) that Jesus is why we celebrate Christmas, this phrase is not in the Bible.

2. “Love came down at Christmas.”

The Bible says in 1 John 4:10, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” This passage states that Jesus was “sent” to earth by the father.

1 John 4:16 says that God is love.

So again this is a Scriptural truth, but it not stated exactly this way in the Bible.

3. “Jesus is the greatest gift we can receive.”

James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from God. Jesus is the greatest gift because He is our Savior and way to eternal life. The phrase, “Jesus is the greatest gift we can receive,” is truthful, but not an exact Bible verse.

How will you use these toddler Scripture verses for the holidays? Share in the comments below.

More Christian Christmas Resources

25 Short Christmas Bible Verses for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Advent Candle Light Readings

A Short Christmas Eve Devotional for Families

100 Christmas Traditions to Consider Starting

Jesse Tree: A Meaningful Advent Family Tradition