Christmas Bible Stories for Kids
2026-10-16
Christmas is full of lights, treats and traditions, and it is easy for children to miss why we celebrate. The Bible tells a beautiful story in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Here are the key parts to read together, in order.
An angel visits Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
The angel Gabriel tells Mary she will have a son named Jesus. Mary trusts God and says, "Let it be to me according to your word." Ask: "Why do you think Mary trusted God?"
Joseph's dream (Matthew 1:18-25)
An angel tells Joseph not to be afraid, and says, "you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, ESV). Joseph obeys.
Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7)
Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. Jesus is born and laid in a manger. The King of heaven arrives in a quiet, humble way.
The shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
An angel appears to shepherds in the fields: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11, ESV). The shepherds hurry to see Jesus and then tell everyone.
Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:21-38)
When Jesus is a baby, two faithful people, Simeon and Anna, recognize Him and praise God. This is a good chance to talk about waiting and trusting.
The wise men (Matthew 2:1-12)
Wise men from the east follow a star to find the child. They bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. By the time they arrive, Jesus is in a house, not the stable. The Bible does not say how many wise men there were, only that there were three gifts.
Ways to enjoy the story
- Read one passage each night in December, ending on Christmas Eve.
- Let the kids act out the story with stuffed animals or costumes.
- Light an Advent candle as you read.
- Choose one way to give a gift to someone in need.
Our free Advent for Kids series walks through the Christmas story day by day, with a short reading, a verse and a question for each day. It is a gentle way to keep Jesus at the center all season long.
Ready to start your family's trail?
One short story a day for ages 2 to 12, with the key verse, a fun game and a question to talk about together. Try it free for 14 days. Cancel any time.