Most Popular Bible Verses at Christmas

During Christmas, Bible readers are most likely to turn to familiar verses in Matthew and Luke but also Isaiah and Psalms.

By Aaron Earls

Not only do Bible readers turn to the familiar narratives of Jesus’s birth this time of year, but they also spend time in Psalms and Old Testament prophecies.

Almost all Americans (91%) celebrate Christmas, but only 22% believe they could accurately retell the biblical story of Christmas from memory, according to Lifeway Research. But YouVersion users spend much of their time on the Bible app during December engaging with the birth of Christ.

According to data from YouVersion’s Bible app over the previous five years, verses from Psalms appeared among the 10 most popular verses 11 times, nine for Matthew, eight for Isaiah, five for Luke, and four for John. 2 Corinthians (three), 1 Corinthians (two), and Ecclesiastes (two) were the only other books to appear on the top 10 list multiple times over the past five years. Only verses from Matthew and Psalms cracked the top 10 each year for the past five years.

Overall, Bible readers were equally in both halves of Scripture. Combining the five lists and not counting duplicates, 33 New Testament verses and 33 Old Testament verses were included.

Ten verses appeared multiple times in the top 10 since 2019. Here are the most popular verses among Bible app users during Christmas. Some verses are obviously seasonal, while others may be more general. Each reference is from the Christian Standard Bible.

10. Isaiah 7:14

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

9. Matthew 5:14-16

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

8. John 1:12-14

But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

7. Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end.

6. Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the faint
and strengthens the powerless.
Youths may become faint and weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.

5. Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with my eye on you, I will give counsel.

4. Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart,
my portion forever.

3. Isaiah 9:6

For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

2. Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

1. Luke 2:11-14

‘Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!

For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.