Bible Verses for Christmas Songs

Are you looking for the Bible verses behind these Christmas songs? Just click on the links to read the lyrics and the Bible verse that correspond with them.

• Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
• Glory To God On High
• Handel's Messiah
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Welcome To Our World
• While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night

Bible Verse photos of Why Jesus Was Born

All throughout December, you hear Christians talking about the reason for the season. Most of our society would say the reason for Christmas is to spread love. Most Christians would say it is to celebrate Jesus' birth. But why? Why was Jesus born? Why did He come to earth? What was His purpose?

If you want to study the purpose of Jesus' birth a little deeper, you can use my printable Why Was Jesus Born activity.

If you would like to share this images, feel free to do so.  They are great to share on Facebook or Twitter.  Just save them to your phone or computer and share online or print. You can even add them to your Christmas cards.

There are actually quite a few Bible verses about why Jesus came:

Matthew 5:17 �Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.�

Mark 1:38 He said to them, �Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.�

Mark 2:17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, �It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.�

Mark 10:45 �For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.�

Luke 19:10 �For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.�

John 3:16 �For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.�

John 3:17 �For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.�

John 6:38 �For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.�

John 12:27-28a �Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, �Father, save Me from this hour�? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.�

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, �So You are a king?� Jesus answered, �You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

1 Timothy 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Hebrews 10:7 �Then I said, �Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do Your will, O God.��

1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Bible Verses for Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

I love Christmas carols. I especially love ones that focus on themes that are in the Bible.  This Christmas carol is packed full of theological concepts, which isn't surprising since it was written by Charles Wesley.  It also focuses on the theme that I have been studying this Christmas season: Why Jesus was born.  If you want to delve deeper into some verses about why Jesus is born, you can check out my printable activity Why Jesus Was Born.

Here is a great version by Seacoast Worship:

Or from Meredith Andrews:

Here is Chris Tomlin's a capella worship version:

Or if you are used to hearing it with the tune Stuttgart instead of Hyfrydol:

I especially love this visual version, that shows how Jesus was being looked forward to throughout the story of the Bible.

No matter which version you like best, this Christmas carol is definitely a blessing.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

by Charles Wesley, 1744

Verse 1:
Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Luke 2:38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Hebrews 4:3,10 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, �As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest,� although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.... For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Speaking of Simeon who was watching for the Messiah, in Luke 2:25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Joel 3:16 (KJV) The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Jeremiah 14:8 �O Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress, why are You like a stranger in the land or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night?"

Matthew 1218-21 �Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. �He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A battered reed He will not break off, and A smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles will hope.�

Dear desire of every nation,

Haggai 2:7 (KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

Joy of every longing heart.

1 Peter 1:8-9 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Verse 2:
Born Thy people to deliver,

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Born a child and yet a King,

Ptophesying about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, �So You are a king?� Jesus answered, �You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.�

Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, �The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.�

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;

Jeremiah 31:33 �But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,� declares the Lord, �I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Bible Verses About Why Jesus Was Born

All throughout December, you hear Christians talking about the reason for the season.  Most of our society would say the reason for Christmas is to spread love.  Most Christians would say it is to celebrate Jesus' birth.  But why?  Why was Jesus born?  Why did He come to earth?  What was His purpose?

There are actually quite a few Bible verses about why Jesus came:

Matthew 5:17 �Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.�

Matthew 10:34 �Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.�

Mark 1:38 He said to them, �Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.�

Mark 2:17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, �It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.�

Mark 10:45 �For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.�

Luke 19:10 �For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.�

John 3:16 �For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.�

John 3:17 �For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.�

John 6:38 �For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.�

John 9:39 And Jesus said, �For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.�

John 12:27 �Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, �Father, save Me from this hour�? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.�

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, �So You are a king?� Jesus answered, �You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

1 Timothy 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 9:26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Hebrews 10:7 �Then I said, �Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do Your will, O God.��

1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

You can examine these reasons a little more deeply with the activity.  Print out the activity.  Then, read through the verses and underline the reasons that Jesus came.  Also, look for repeated words or themes.  Then, cut the Bible verses out and put them into piles to categorize them into common reasons.

When you are finished, examine them to see if any appear to be contradictory.  If so, how is the contradiction resolved?  Is there a theme that is repeated most?  Why?

What Bible verses am I missing?

Bible Verses for O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is an advent song that has been around for a long time. It is based on the O Antiphons that go back to at least the eighth century. The later version, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, is believed to date back to the twelfth century, though it was published in 1710 in Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum in Latin. Additional stanzas (Wisdom and Desire of Nations) were added in 1878. 

The major English translations were written by John Mason Neale in 1851 and later revised in 1861. The revision changed "Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel" to "O come, O come, Emmanuel." In 1906, Thomas Alexander Lacey also translated the text. The additional verses were translated by Henry Sloane Coffin in 1916.

This carol is undoubtedly based on Scripture passages.  It looks at many prophetic passages about the first coming of Jesus, born in Bethlehem.  As an advent song, it looks forward to Jesus' first arrival.  Although that event has already passed, we now both rejoice over the work Jesus did in His first coming and look forward to the final fulfillment in His second coming.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Verse 1:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,

Prophesying about Jesus in Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

An angel told Joseph in Matthew 1:23 �Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear A Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,� which translated means, �God with us.� 

And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Speaking of Israel in the Millenium in Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, �Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.�

Verse 2:

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Prophesying about Jesus, in Isaiah 11:1-2 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

Acts 10:38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.

I Corinthians 15:54-57 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, �Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?� The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 3:
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Zacharias prophesying about John the Baptist leading the way for Jesus, in Luke 1:76-79 �And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.�

Balaam prophesied in Numbers 24:17 �I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, znd tear down all the sons of Sheth."

Revelation 22:16 �I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.�

Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 4:
O come, Thou Key of David, come

Speaking of Jesus in Revelation 3:7 �And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:"

And open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, �I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Verse 5:
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,

Who ordered all things far and nigh; 

Jeremiah 51:15 It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom, and by His understanding He stretched out the heavens.

To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Verse 6:
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind

Haggai 2:7 (KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

All peoples in one heart and mind; 

Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease,
Fill all the world with heaven's peace. 

Ephesians 2:14-16 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, �Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.�

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Handel's Messiah's Bible Verses

What do the following Bible verses have in common?

All of these Bible verses are used by Handel in his oratorio, Messiah.  If you have had the privilege of participating in a performance of Handel's Messiah, then you have been blest with learning as many as 74 Bible verses.  

You can find which Bible verses are used in each section using the links below:

Handel's Messiah: Part 1

Handel's Messiah: Part 2

Handel's Messiah: Part 3

Christmas Quiz - Biblical Fact vs. Myth

In my first year of Bible college, I failed my first "quiz"... on Christmas. I thought I had aced it because I had been in Christmas pageants and knew every Christmas carol.  Unfortunately, people have created Christmas cards, carols, children�s plays, artwork, and other items that make assumptions about the Christmas story. While most of these assumptions are harmless (like how many wise men there actually were), it is important to know what the Bible actually says about Jesus birth.  Other Christmas myths are absolutely totally fictional (I'm sure Jesus cried, no matter what Away In the Manger says) and can affect our theology about Christ's humanity.  Some differences seem a little nit-picky (like the angels speaking to the shepherds and not singing), while other mistakes are glaring (like who is following the star in O Little Town of Bethlehem).

Take this Christmas Quiz to see if you can determine what is actually recorded in the Bible and what is not.

You can take the online quiz here.



Create your own user feedback survey


Or you can print the quiz (and the answer key) out to share with others.

Welcome To Our World

Welcome To Our World

by Chris Rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Of Anna in Luke 2:38 "At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long awaited Holy Stranger
Make yourself at home
Please make yourself at home

Luke 2:7 "And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Mary said in Luke 1:53 "He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed."

John 1:1,14  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

The angels told the shepherds in Luke 2:11 "for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

1 Peter 1:18-19 "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

1 John 4:2  "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;"

Hebrews 10:10 "By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Luke 1:35 "The angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.'"

5 Homemade Christmas Presents (with links to instructions)

Here are some more Christmas presents I have made:

Bible Verse Candle Holder

click here for my tutorial

Shirred Pillow Case Dress

(with bought leggings)

like the ones made here 

Sippy Cup/Bottle Leash/Harness

like the one made here

Crocheted Towel Holder 

crochet pattern here

T-shirt Scarves

narrow strips tutorial here (on the left)

bubble style tutorial here (on the right)

Handel's Messiah - Part III

Part III

(45) I know that my redeemer liveth

Job 19:25, 26 I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand on the latter day upon the earth: And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
1Corinthians 15:20 [For] now is Christ risen from the dead. . . the firstfruits of them that [sleep].

(50) O death where is thy sting?

1Corinthians 15:55-56 (Hosea 13:14) O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

(51) But thanks be to God

1 Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the rest of Handel's Messiah, click below:

Handel's Messiah, Part I

Handel's Messiah, Part II