The Christmas story is told in only a few chapters, and much of it is unsentimental: a census, a stable, frightened shepherds and a prophecy centuries old.
These are the passages usually read aloud in December, with notes on where each sits.
Compiled and reviewed by the Verse & Light editorial team · last reviewed 2026-09-20 · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
The passages
“There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “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. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.””
Context: The announcement to shepherds — the first audience is a group of night workers on a hillside.
“For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Context: A prophecy of a child with royal titles, written to a nation under threat of invasion.
“She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “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.””
Context: The name Immanuel is quoted from Isaiah and translated in the text itself: God with us.
“The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Context: John's version of Christmas: the Word became flesh and lived among us.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.”
Context: The Bethlehem prophecy, notable for how small and unimportant the town is said to be.
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children.”
Context: Paul's compressed account: born of a woman, born under the law, at the right time.
Questions to sit with
Which detail of the story do you usually skip over?
What does 'God with us' mean in your December?
Who might be alone this Christmas that you could include?
A prayer
Original devotional writing by the Verse & Light editorial team — not part of the Bible text
God, thank you for coming close. In a loud season, keep me near to the quiet centre of it. Amen.
Looking for something closer to today?
Choose how you’re feeling, what you’re facing and what you need, and find a passage matched to it.