Learn · Christmas
The Christmas Story in the Bible
The birth of Jesus is told in two Gospels, Matthew (chapters 1–2) and Luke (chapters 1–2), and promised centuries earlier by the prophets Isaiah and Micah. John 1 tells it from the beginning of all things. Here is where to read each part, a reading for every day of Advent, and a quiz to print for the family or a Sunday school class.
Where is the Christmas story in the Bible?
In story order:
- Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7 — The promise: a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, called Immanuel; unto us a child is born, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God.
- Micah 5:2 — The place: out of Bethlehem Ephratah shall come a ruler in Israel. Matthew 2:6 quotes it.
- Luke 1:5–25 — The angel Gabriel tells the priest Zacharias that his wife Elisabeth will have a son, John.
- Luke 1:26–56 — Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth. Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth and sings the Magnificat.
- Matthew 1:1–25 — Jesus' family line from Abraham through David, then Joseph's dream: the child is to be called Jesus, and Emmanuel, God with us.
- Luke 2:1–20 — The census of Caesar Augustus, the birth in Bethlehem, the manger, and the angels and shepherds.
- Luke 2:21–40 — Jesus is named and presented at the temple, where Simeon and Anna recognise him.
- Matthew 2:1–23 — The wise men follow the star, Herod plots, and the family escapes to Egypt, then settles in Nazareth.
- John 1:1–14 — The same story told from eternity: the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
Mark starts with John the Baptist and the grown-up Jesus, so it has no birth story. To see where each of these books sits, browse all 66 books of the Bible in order.
A 25-day Advent reading plan
One short reading for each day from December 1 to Christmas Day: the promises first, then the story as it happened.
| Day | Read | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | Genesis 3:8–15 | The first promise: the woman's seed shall bruise the serpent's head |
| Dec 2 | Genesis 12:1–3 | In Abraham all families of the earth will be blessed |
| Dec 3 | Genesis 49:8–10 | The sceptre shall not depart from Judah |
| Dec 4 | 2 Samuel 7:12–16 | God promises David a throne established for ever |
| Dec 5 | Isaiah 7:10–14 | A virgin shall conceive: Immanuel |
| Dec 6 | Isaiah 9:2–7 | Unto us a child is born |
| Dec 7 | Isaiah 11:1–10 | A rod out of the stem of Jesse |
| Dec 8 | Isaiah 40:1–11 | Comfort ye my people; prepare the way of the LORD |
| Dec 9 | Jeremiah 23:5–6 | A righteous Branch raised unto David |
| Dec 10 | Micah 5:2–5 | Bethlehem, little among the thousands of Judah |
| Dec 11 | Malachi 3:1–4 | I will send my messenger |
| Dec 12 | Luke 1:5–25 | Gabriel and Zacharias in the temple |
| Dec 13 | Luke 1:26–38 | Gabriel visits Mary |
| Dec 14 | Luke 1:39–56 | Mary visits Elisabeth |
| Dec 15 | Luke 1:57–80 | John the Baptist is born |
| Dec 16 | Matthew 1:1–17 | The family line of Jesus |
| Dec 17 | Matthew 1:18–25 | Joseph's dream |
| Dec 18 | Luke 2:1–7 | Born in Bethlehem, laid in a manger |
| Dec 19 | Luke 2:8–20 | Angels and shepherds |
| Dec 20 | Luke 2:21–40 | Simeon and Anna at the temple |
| Dec 21 | Matthew 2:1–12 | The wise men and the star |
| Dec 22 | Matthew 2:13–23 | Escape to Egypt |
| Dec 23 | John 1:1–14 | The Word was made flesh |
| Dec 24 | Philippians 2:5–11 | He took the form of a servant |
| Dec 25 | Luke 2:1–20 | Christmas Day: read the whole story again |