Each year when the holidays rush in, I feel like peace and joy lag a little behind schedule. Like a mirage, I see these wonders of Christmas shimmering in the distance, but I cannot quite reach them.
In this season, more than any other, busyness and distractions abound. With all the decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, and mailing…well, it is hard for me to be still and quiet. When I do find a moment, my thoughts easily wander from the Christmas story to the troubles of our world.
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is persistent with me. He keeps encouraging me to be mindful of Christmas and not let it slip away before pondering its celebration. So yesterday afternoon, as the snowflakes flew and the temperatures plummeted outside, I sat still next to the window and read once again about the Christmas miracle.
New wonders and knowledge come to mind every time I read Bible verses about the birth of Christ and the love he brings our world. My appreciation for the care we receive from our Heavenly Father is renewed. God’s peace and joy rise up through his Word and his presence.
The verses below refreshed my spirit and I hope they do the same for you. Share their words and the images with others if you’d like. It’s never too late to usher in God’s peace and joy found in the true meaning of Christmas…
Bible Verses to Celebrate Christmas:
(1) For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NLT
(2) But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLT
(3) All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14 NLT
(4) This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18 NLT
(5) As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20 NLT
(6) “And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NLT
(7) She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7 NLT
(8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:8-9 NIV
(9) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10 NIV
(10) “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 NIV
(11) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 NIV
(12) Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 NLT
(13) When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:10 NLT
(14) They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:11-12 NLT
(15) For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT
(16) So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14 NLT
(17) He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:10-12 NLT
(18) He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 NIV
(19) Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
(20) The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5 NLT
(21) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 NLT
(22) Sing to the LORD, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world. Isaiah 12:5 NLT
(23) Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
(24) You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
(25) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
Merry Christmas! Press on in faith my friends! ~Jamie
Related Posts:
The Gift of Christmas
Living in God’s Light
Turning Christmas Upside Down
Christmas Countdown Challenge, Week 4-celebration
Christmas Countdown Challenge, Week 3-peace
Christmas Countdown Challenge, Week 2-expectations
Christmas Countdown Challenge, Week 1-worry
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*Images used to make the graphics in this post were kindly provided by the services of Pixabay and Unsplash.
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Thank you so very much for these lovely and inspiring Scripture verses. They remind me of the magnitude of what this holiday of Christmas is truly about. It has been a difficult year for everyone, but isn’t it wonderful that so many people have found the strength to celebrate this beautiful holiday even if it is in a different way or in a more quiet way, in spite of all the adversity. The Covid Grinch did not win this year.
Merry Christmas to you and thank you.
p.s. the photos are very beautiful. You really could do something with them like greeting cards, calendars, etc.
Thank you so much for your kind comments and Christmas cheer. “The Covid Grinch did not win”—I like that! So true. Merry Christmas to you L.D.!