A Bible verse turns a Christmas card from a seasonal greeting into a small piece of the Christmas story. Every verse below is quoted from the King James Version — the wording heard in carols and church readings — and grouped so you can choose by person and by message.
If you are writing the rest of the card too, our guide to what to write in a Christmas card has messages for family, friends, your church, and someone who is grieving.
Short Christmas Bible verses for cards
These fit on a single line — ideal for a signature or the inside fold.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” — Luke 2:14
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” — 2 Corinthians 9:15
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” — Matthew 2:10
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” — John 1:5
Verses about the birth of Jesus
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:10–11
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” — Matthew 1:23
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” — Isaiah 7:14
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” — Micah 5:2
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” — Luke 2:7
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” — Galatians 4:4
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
Christmas verses about joy
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” — Luke 1:46–47
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” — Psalm 98:4
Christmas verses about peace, light, and hope
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” — Isaiah 9:2
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” — John 8:12
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” — Romans 15:13
Verses about God’s gift
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” — 1 John 4:9
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” — Titus 2:11
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” — James 1:17
A Christmas blessing for family and friends
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26
This blessing reads beautifully across the bottom of a family card, or written out in full inside a card to a grandparent.
Christmas verses for someone who is grieving
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” — Revelation 21:4
How to write a verse in a card
Write the verse in quotation marks and the reference underneath or after a dash: “Glory to God in the highest” — Luke 2:14. If a verse is long, you can quote the part that matters most and keep the reference so the reader can find the rest. One verse is enough; a card with three verses is usually read less carefully than a card with one.
Give a verse they can keep
A verse in a card is read on Christmas morning; a verse debossed into full-grain leather is carried for years. Each piece below is slim enough to tuck into a stocking or an envelope.
“The Lord is my shepherd” Psalm 23:1
Leather Bible Bookmark — Jordan Brown
Check Price on Amazon →Also on Etsy
“I will fear no evil” Psalm 23:4
Leather Bible Bookmark — Pentecost Red
Check Price on Amazon →Also on Etsy
Frequently asked questions
What is a good short Bible verse for a Christmas card?
Luke 2:14 (“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”), 2 Corinthians 9:15 (“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift”), and Matthew 2:10 are the most-used short verses. All three fit on a single line of a card.
What Bible verse is best for a family Christmas card?
Luke 2:10–11, the angel’s announcement of “good tidings of great joy,” is the classic family choice. For a blessing over the household, Numbers 6:24–26 works well.
Should I use the King James Version in a Christmas card?
Many people prefer it for Christmas because its wording is the one heard in carols and church readings — “good tidings of great joy,” “Emmanuel,” “unspeakable gift.” Every verse on this page is quoted from the KJV.
What verse do you write in a Christmas card for someone grieving?
Psalm 34:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 speak to comfort without asking the reader to feel festive. Revelation 21:4 offers hope for those who have lost someone this year.
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