On Christmas Day, many families gather to read the story of Christ’s birth from the Gospels, celebrating the miracle of God coming to earth as a child. While this tradition is beautiful, the Psalms also hold golden wisdom and joy-filled expressions about the coming of Christ and His reign. These ancient songs of praise remind us of the joy, salvation, and hope we have in Jesus.

This Christmas morning, I encourage you to take time with your family to read these psalms together. Let their words inspire worship, gratitude, and celebration as you reflect on the birth of our Savior.

Here are five joyful psalms to read on Christmas Day, written in the New King James Version (NKJV):

1. Psalm 98

Joy to the World is inspired by this psalm, which celebrates God’s marvelous works and the salvation He brings:

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Sing to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands;
Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
With righteousness He shall judge the world,
And the peoples with equity."

2. Psalm 96

This psalm invites all creation to rejoice at the coming of the Lord:

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns;
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved;
He shall judge the peoples righteously.’

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness,
And the peoples with His truth."

3. Psalm 100

A psalm of thanksgiving and joy, perfect for celebrating the gift of Christ:

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations."

4. Psalm 72

This psalm points to the reign of the righteous King, a prophecy fulfilled in Christ:

"Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
He will judge Your people with righteousness,
And Your poor with justice.
The mountains will bring peace to the people,
And the little hills, by righteousness.

He will bring justice to the poor of the people;
He will save the children of the needy,
And will break in pieces the oppressor.
They shall fear You
As long as the sun and moon endure,
Throughout all generations.

He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,
Like showers that water the earth.
In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.

Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
All nations shall serve Him."

5. Psalm 24

A psalm celebrating the King of Glory, whose coming we celebrate at Christmas:

"The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory."

These psalms remind us of the incredible joy and hope we have in Christ, whose birth we celebrate today. As you read these psalms with your family, may your hearts be filled with gratitude for God’s love and the gift of salvation through Jesus. Merry Christmas!

Share these Psalms with someone you love this Christmas!!