Ascriptions and Self-Declarations by God
Since the following scriptures may contain an incomplete verse and have been removed from their contexts in the Bible, it is up to you to make the final determination if they will properly accomplish the purpose for which you are going to use them. Scriptures that are listed below that are incomplete will have an asterisk after their references.
The Best Calls to Worship for Christmas
9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:9-11
10 “Shout and be glad, . . . . For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. Zechariah 2:10*
68 “Praise be to the Lord, . . . , because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Luke 1:68-69, 74-75*
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14
The Best Prayers of Adoration and Their Introductions for Christmas
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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 and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:1-2, 9-12
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Other Prayers of Adoration and Their Introductions to Consider Using
29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. Exodus 4:29-31
1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
The Best Prayers and Acclamations of Praise to God
and Their Introductions for Christmas
68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Luke 1:68-75
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-16, 20
28 Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
Other Prayers and Acclamations of Praise to God and Their
Introductions to Consider Using
1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1
1 LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55
The Best Introductions to Singing for Christmas
1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. 9 As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to . . . God . . . , Psalm 75:1, 9*
1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98:1
9 Burst into songs of joy together, . . . , for the LORD has comforted his people, . . . . 10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:9-10*
The Best Confessions of Sin and Their Introductions for Christmas
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:1, 4, 9-11
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15
4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he [the Son] appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:4-6
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he [Christ] is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:7-8
Other Confessions of Sin and Their Introductions to Consider Using
23 “Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.” John 5:23b*
The Best Assurances of Pardon, Declarations of God’s Forgiveness, and Absolutions for Christmas
68 “Praise be to the Lord, . . . , because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” Luke 1:68-69*
1 [T]here is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. Romans 8:1-3a*
4 [W]hen the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5*
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . . . 1 Timothy 1:15*
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 1 John 4:14-15
Other Assurances of Pardon, Declarations of God’s
Forgiveness, and Absolutions to Consider Using
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24
3 “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he [Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:14-15, 17
26 But he [Christ] has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26b*
The Best Scriptures on Fellowship, Loving One Another, and Passing
God’s Peace for Christmas
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11
Other Scriptures on Fellowship, Loving One Another, and
Passing God’s Peace to Consider Using
12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
The Best Introductions to Scripture Readings for Christmas
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 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. John 1:1, 14
37 Jesus answered, “. . . . [T]he reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37bcd*
Other Introductions to Scripture Readings to Consider Using
29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
151 [Y]ou are near, LORD, and all your commands are true. Psalm 119:151*
28 “[T]here is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” Daniel 2:28a*
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.” Acts 7:37-38
The Best Introductions Before Offerings for Christmas
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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. Matthew 2:7-11
The Best Prayers of Dedication and Their Introductions for Christmas
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
68 “Praise be to the Lord, . . . , because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 74 . . . to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Luke 1:68-69, 74-75*
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:3-8
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:11-12
Other Prayers of Dedication and Their Introductions to Consider Using
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.” John 8:42
37 “In fact, the reason I [Jesus] was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37cd*
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9
The Best Prayers of Thanksgiving and Their
Introductions for Christmas
1 We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, Psalm 107:1-2, 8
28 Simeon took him [the child Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. 37 She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them [Joseph and Mary] at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36a, 37b-38*
Other Prayers of Thanksgiving and Their Introductions to Consider Using
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107:31
41 Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:41b-42*
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
The Best Prayers of Requests and Their Introductions for Christmas
3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you . . . , O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4*
1 Hear us, Shepherd . . . , you who lead . . . a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 2 Awaken your might; come and save us. 3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:1, 2b-3*
Other Prayers of Requests and Their Introductions to Consider Using
7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? Deuteronomy 4:7
6 Let the light of your face shine on us. Psalm 4:6b*
27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27
The Best Prayers of Requests and Thanksgiving and Their
Introductions for Christmas
3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you . . . , O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4*
Other Prayers of Requests and Thanksgiving and Their
Introductions to Consider Using
7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? Deuteronomy 4:7
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings . . . . 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, . . . God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 9 I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:1-3, 9-11*
The Best Affirmations, Encouragements, and
Promises of God for Christmas
2 The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness . . . ; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:2-3*
10 “Shout and be glad, . . . . For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. Zechariah 2:10*
68 “Praise be to the Lord, . . . , because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 74 . . . to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Luke 1:68-69, 74-75*
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 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. 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. John 1:1, 14, 16
4 [W]hen the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 [A]nd since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7*
The Best Exhortations for Christmas
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:3, 5-8
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9, 11
Other Exhortations to Consider Using
12 “[T]hose who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12*
11 “[A]ll those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11*
14 “[A]ll those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14b*
3 [I]n humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3b-4*
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
5 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5b-6*
The Best Ascriptions and Self-Declarations by God for Christmas
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 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. John 1:1, 14
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3
Other Ascriptions and Self-Declarations by God to Consider Using
5 “With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? 9 I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ 11 What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” Isaiah 46:5, 9-10, 11b*
10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10
The Best Benedictions and Blessings for Christmas
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation . . . , and the glory of your people . . . .” Luke 2:29-32*