Christmas Songs Based on Bible Verses

I am sharing today in this post a compilation of popular Christmas songs based on Bible verses. Each song comes with a brief history of the song, the author and linked to Bible verse that relates to that song.

Most of the songs are traditional hymn songs that dates back centuries. I've compiled this list to help you discover the powerful scripture behind the melodies, giving you a deeper appreciation for their enduring message this Christmas season.

See also: Short Christmas stories with moral lessons

Christmas Songs Based on Bible Verses

Songs About Christ's Birth and the Nativity

1. "Away in a Manger" by Traditional

Bible Verse: Luke 2:7 - "And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."

First published in 1885, this beloved carol depicts the humble circumstances of Jesus's birth. Its gentle melody and tender lyrics about baby Jesus sleeping in a manger have made it a favorite for children's Christmas programs worldwide.

2. "Silent Night" by Franz Xaver Gruber

Bible Verse: Luke 2:7-11 - "She gave birth to her firstborn, a son... Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Written in 1818 in Austria, this carol captures the peaceful night when Christ was born. Translated into over 300 languages, it's performed by over 2 billion people annually, making it the most recorded Christmas song in history.

3. "What Child Is This?" by William Chatterton Dix

Bible Verse: Luke 2:12 - "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Written in 1865 and set to the traditional tune "Greensleeves," this carol poses profound questions about the baby in the manger. Its lyrics beautifully contrast Christ's humble birth with His identity as King of Kings.

4. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Phillips Brooks

Bible Verse: Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel."

Penned in 1868 after Phillips Brooks visited Bethlehem, this hymn reflects on the prophetic significance of Jesus's birthplace. Its contemplative lyrics capture the stillness of that holy night when prophecy became reality.

5. "Once in Royal David's City" by Cecil Frances Alexander

Bible Verse: Luke 2:4-7 - "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David... She gave birth to her firstborn, a son."

Written in 1848, this carol traces Jesus from His humble birth in Bethlehem to His heavenly throne. Traditionally sung at Cambridge's King's College Christmas Eve service, it emphasizes Christ's identification with humanity.

Songs About Angels and the Heavenly Announcement

6. "Angels We Have Heard on High" by Traditional French Carol

Bible Verse: Luke 2:13-14 - "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.'"

This 18th-century French carol celebrates the angelic chorus announcing Christ's birth to shepherds. Its famous "Gloria in excelsis Deo" refrain directly quotes the angels' Latin praise, making it one of Christianity's most triumphant Christmas songs.

7. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley

Bible Verse: Luke 2:10-11 - "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.'"

Written by Charles Wesley in 1739, this hymn proclaims the theological significance of Christ's birth. Originally titled "Hark! How All the Welkin Rings," Felix Mendelssohn later composed the triumphant melody we know today.

8. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by Traditional Spiritual

Bible Verse: Luke 2:17 - "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."

This African American spiritual from the 1800s combines the Christmas story with the Great Commission. Its joyful call to proclaim Christ's birth reflects how the shepherds became the first evangelists after encountering the newborn King.

9. "Angels from the Realms of Glory" by James Montgomery

Bible Verse: Luke 2:9 - "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."

Written in 1816, this carol calls various witnesses—angels, shepherds, wise men—to worship the newborn King. Montgomery's powerful lyrics emphasize that Christ's birth was a cosmic event worthy of universal adoration.

Songs About Jesus as Messiah and King

10. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" by Traditional Latin Hymn

Bible Verse: Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Dating back to 8th-century Latin chant, this Advent hymn expresses Israel's longing for the Messiah. Each verse references Old Testament names for Christ, culminating in "Emmanuel"—God with us—making it theologically rich and prophetically profound.

11. "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts

Bible Verse: Psalm 98:4-9 - "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music... for he comes to judge the earth."

Written in 1719 by Isaac Watts based on Psalm 98, this triumphant carol celebrates Christ's reign over creation. Handel's later musical arrangement helped make it one of the most published Christmas hymns in North America.

12. "O Holy Night" by Adolphe Adam

Bible Verse: Luke 2:10-11 - "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.'"

Composed in 1847, this powerful carol captures the awe-inspiring moment when Christ entered the world. Its dramatic melody and lyrics about a "new and glorious morn" emphasize humanity's redemption through the Savior's birth.

13. "The First Noel" by Traditional English Carol

Bible Verse: Luke 2:8-9 - "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."

Dating to the 16th or 17th century, this English carol retells the Christmas story from the shepherds' perspective. "Noel" comes from the French word for Christmas, and the song's narrative structure makes it ideal for teaching the nativity account.

14. "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley

Bible Verse: Luke 2:25-26 - "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon... It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah."

Written by Charles Wesley in 1744, this Advent hymn expresses centuries of longing for the Messiah. Its lyrics beautifully combine Old Testament prophecy with New Testament fulfillment, celebrating Jesus as both Israel's hope and the world's Savior.

Songs About the Wise Men and Worship

15. "We Three Kings" by John Henry Hopkins Jr.

Bible Verse: Matthew 2:1-2 - "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?'"

Written in 1857, this carol tells the story of the Magi's journey to worship Jesus. Each verse describes one of the three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—explaining their prophetic significance for Christ's identity and mission.

16. "As with Gladness Men of Old" by William Chatterton Dix

Bible Verse: Matthew 2:11 - "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."

Written in 1858, this Epiphany hymn celebrates the wise men's worshipful response to finding Jesus. Dix uses the Magi's journey as a model for believers to seek and worship Christ with their best offerings.

Songs Celebrating Prophecy Fulfilled

17. "O Come, All Ye Faithful" by John Francis Wade

Bible Verse: John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Written in Latin around 1743, this triumphant carol invites believers to come worship the incarnate Word. Its powerful call to "come and behold Him, born the King of Angels" emphasizes Christ's divine nature united with humanity.

18. "Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle

Bible Verse: John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have light of life.'"

Released in 2018, this contemporary Christmas song celebrates Jesus as the light piercing darkness. Daigle's powerful vocals and modern arrangement connect Christ's birth to His identity as the light bringing hope to a broken world.

19. "Mary, Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry & Buddy Greene

Bible Verse: Luke 1:31-33 - "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."

Written in 1991, this modern classic poses rhetorical questions to Mary about Jesus's future miracles and mission. Covered by over 400 artists, it beautifully connects the baby in the manger to the Savior who would transform the world.

20. "Behold the Lamb" by Keith Getty & Kristyn Getty

Bible Verse: John 1:29 - "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"

Released in 2007, this modern Christmas carol connects Christ's birth to His sacrificial death. The Gettys' profound lyrics remind worshippers that the baby born in Bethlehem came specifically to be the Lamb who would take away sin.

Contemporary Christmas Worship Songs

21. "He Shall Reign Forevermore" by Chris Tomlin

Bible Verse: Revelation 11:15 - "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."

Released in 2015, this orchestral Christmas anthem celebrates Christ's eternal kingship. Tomlin combines traditional Christmas themes with Revelation's declaration of Jesus's everlasting reign, creating a powerful statement of Christ's sovereignty from manger to throne.

22. "Born" by Rhett Walker Band

Bible Verse: Luke 2:11 - "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Released in 2014, this rock-influenced Christmas song emphasizes Christ being born specifically to save humanity. Its driving melody and direct lyrics make the gospel message accessible to contemporary audiences while maintaining biblical accuracy.

23. "Noel" by Chris Tomlin feat. Lauren Daigle

Bible Verse: Luke 2:13-14 - "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven.'"

Released in 2015, this modern worship song reimagines traditional Christmas themes with contemporary sound. Tomlin and Daigle's collaboration creates a fresh expression of the angels' proclamation, inviting believers to join the heavenly chorus.

24. "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" by Amy Grant

Bible Verse: Luke 1:38 - "'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her."

Released in 1992, this tender ballad imagines Mary's prayers and emotions during her pregnancy. Grant's vulnerable lyrics capture Mary's humanity and complete surrender to God's plan, making this a deeply personal Christmas meditation.

25. "Glory in the Highest" by Chris Tomlin

Bible Verse: Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Released in 2009, this upbeat Christmas worship song directly quotes the angels' proclamation over Bethlehem. Tomlin's energetic arrangement encourages believers to join creation in glorifying God for sending Jesus as Savior and King.