Matthew 2

Which worship songs are based on Matthew 2?

Humble Heart — ApologetiX (2021) Matthew 2:1-12
The opening recounts the Magi presenting costly gifts to Jesus and then returning home by a different route, closely following Matthew's account of their visit and divine warning.
The Night Before Christmas — Brandon Heath (2024) Matthew 2:1-11
The visiting Magi, the guiding star, and their act of bowing before the child closely reproduce the distinctive imagery of Matthew’s infancy narrative.
Just Because It’s Christmas — Anne Wilson (2021) Matthew 2:1-11
The combined imagery of a guiding star, approaching the royal child, bowing before him, and adoration closely evokes the visit of the Magi.
Christmas Day — Chris Tomlin (2021) Matthew 2:1-11
The sight of a star joined with an invitation to approach and adore Christ unmistakably recalls the Magi's journey to the child Jesus and their worship before him.
Cradle in Bethlehem — Gregory Porter (2024) Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men traveling through darkness under the guidance of a star directly recalls the Magi's journey to find the child Jesus.
Christmas Eve In Bethlehem — Hannah Kerr (2020) Matthew 2:1-11
The star signaling the birth of a king and prompting a journey to find him unmistakably recalls the Magi’s response to the star in Matthew’s infancy narrative.
this is what christmas feels like — JVKE, Forrest Frank (2025) Matthew 2:1-12
The song references the wise men who followed the star, directly alluding to the biblical account of their journey to find Jesus, which signifies hope and guidance during the Christmas season.
The First Noel — Highlands Worship (2021) Matthew 2:1-2
The eastern star signaling the birth of Israel’s king derives from Matthew’s account of the Magi. The carol combines that Matthean sign with Luke’s shepherd narrative, although Matthew does not say the shepherds saw the star.
We Three Kings — John Van Deusen (2022) Matthew 2:1-11
The song retells Matthew’s account of eastern Magi traveling to Bethlehem by a star and presenting gifts to Jesus. Calling them three kings reflects later tradition rather than details specified in the passage, but the underlying narrative is unmistakable.
A Cradle In Bethlehem — Phil Wickham & Evan Wickham (2024) Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men traveling through darkness under the guidance of a star directly evokes Matthew’s account of the Magi journeying to Bethlehem.
The First Noel — CCV Music (2024) Matthew 2:1-2
The prominent eastern star that signals the royal birth and guides observers reflects Matthew’s account of the star seen by the Magi. The carol blends this Matthean image with Luke’s shepherd narrative.
The First Noel — Victory (2025) Matthew 2:1-2
The star appearing in the east and signaling the birth of Israel's king draws directly from Matthew's account of the star observed by the Magi. The carol traditionally blends this Matthean sign with Luke's shepherd narrative.
Three Wise Guys — The Cast Of Journey To Bethlehem & Omid Djalili & Rizwan Manji & Geno Segers (2023) Matthew 2:1-11
The Magi follow a star in search of the newborn king, intending to worship him and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These combined narrative details unmistakably identify Matthew’s account, although the number and traditional names of the Magi come from later tradition.
The First Noel — Maverick City Music & Majesty Rose (2020) Matthew 2:1-2
The eastern star and the declaration of a newborn king draw directly from Matthew’s account of the sign seen and followed by the Magi, although the carol blends that episode with Luke’s shepherd scene.
Do You Hear What I Hear — Jennifer Nettles (2016) Matthew 2:1-11
The extraordinary star and the proposal to present precious treasure to the Child evoke the Magi following the star and offering royal gifts to Jesus.
The First Noel — John Van Deusen (2022) Matthew 2:1-11
The star seen in the east, its movement toward Bethlehem, and its coming to rest over Jesus’ location closely paraphrase Matthew’s account of the sign that guided the Magi to the child.
Star of Wonder — Phil Wickham (2019) Matthew 2:1-11
The royal star that leads travelers toward Christ unmistakably evokes the Magi following the star to the child identified as king of the Jews.
Little Drummer Boy — Carrie Underwood & Isaiah Fisher (2020) Matthew 2:1-11
The visitors’ journey to honor the infant king by presenting valuable gifts closely follows the account of the Magi. The song inserts the fictional poor drummer alongside this biblical pattern of gift-bearing worship.
We Three Kings — George Strait (2021) Matthew 2:1-11
The song retells the visit of the eastern Magi through the specific details of their journey to Bethlehem, guidance by a star, homage to the child, and presentation of gold and frankincense. Calling them three kings comes from later Christian tradition rather than Matthew, which neither numbers them nor identifies them as kings.
Do You Hear What I Hear? — Lynda Randle (2020) Matthew 2:1-11
The prominent star associated with the newborn child and the proposal to bring precious metal recall the star followed by the Magi and their presentation of royal gifts to Jesus.
What Child Is This (Christ the King) — Casting Crowns (2017) Matthew 2:1-11
The presentation of gold, frankincense, and myrrh unmistakably invokes the Magi’s visit and their gifts to Jesus.
O Holy Night — Brett Young (2017) Matthew 2:1-11
The eastern wise men follow a star to the infant king and bow before him, closely reproducing the distinctive figures, sign, and act of homage in Matthew’s account.
El Burrito Sabanero — Kidz Bop Kids (2019) Matthew 2:1-10
The small celestial light illuminating the route to Bethlehem recalls the star that guided the Magi toward the child Jesus. This detail comes from Matthew's infancy narrative rather than Luke's account of the shepherds.
Noche De Paz — Kidz Bop Kids (2019) Matthew 2:1-10
The star shining in connection with the birth of Jesus evokes the celestial sign that led the Magi to the child in Matthew's account.
We Three Kings — Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (2019) Matthew 2:1-11
The travelers follow a star to Bethlehem and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn king, directly recounting the visit of the Magi.
Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child — Mariah Carey (2019) Matthew 2:1-11
The visitors traveling from a distant land and following a star to find the infant king clearly paraphrase Matthew's account of the magi. The traditional number of three is not specified in Matthew, but the underlying episode is unmistakable.
Perfect Light — Chris Tomlin (2017) Matthew 2:1-11
The song retells the Magi's journey to Bethlehem: they follow an exceptional star, find Jesus with Mary, kneel before him, and present their gifts. These details unmistakably identify Matthew's account of the visit of the Magi.
The First Noel — Sleeping At Last (2017) Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men follow a star to Bethlehem, worship Jesus, and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The song’s number of three visitors is traditional rather than stated in Matthew.
Midnight Mass — Tom Chaplin (2017) Matthew 2:1-10
The travelers’ reliance on a guiding star in an explicitly Christmas setting evokes the star that directed the Magi toward the child Jesus. The song adapts that Nativity image into a symbol of love leading weary people home.
Mary Sweet Mary — Building 429 (2020) Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men searching for and finding Jesus unmistakably evoke the Magi who travel to find the newborn King and worship him.
The Little Drummer Boy — Johnny Cash (2020) Matthew 2:1-11
The summons to visit a newly born king and present gifts before him closely parallels the Magi’s journey and presentation of treasures to Jesus. The song imaginatively adds a poor drummer to that gift-bearing company.
We Three Kings — Tommee Profitt & We The Kingdom (2020) Matthew 2:1-11
The travelers come from the East, follow a star to Bethlehem, and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. These details unmistakably retell Matthew's account of the Magi, although the song follows later tradition in calling them three kings.
Cradle in Bethlehem — Sleeping At Last (2017) Matthew 2:1-11
The travelers following a guiding star through the darkness toward the child in Bethlehem unmistakably evoke Matthew's account of the Magi.
Do You Hear What I Hear? — Jessie James Decker (2018) Matthew 2:1-11
The prominent star and the proposal to bring precious treasure to the child evoke the star followed by the Magi and their presentation of costly gifts to Jesus.
Do You Hear What I Hear? — Pentatonix & Andrea Bocelli & Matteo Bocelli & Virginia Bocelli (2022) Matthew 2:2
The prominent star and the proposal to bring precious metal to the Child recall the Magi following the star and presenting royal gifts to Jesus. The song adapts the details by including silver, which is not among Matthew’s named gifts.
Little Drummer Boy — John Van Deusen (2022) Matthew 2:2
The travelers' desire to see the recently born royal child and present gifts closely follows the visit of the Magi. The song substitutes an unnamed group and a poor drummer for some of Matthew's specific details.
The Little Drummer Boy — Kidz Bop Kids (2020) Matthew 2:2
The journey to see the recently born king and the presentation of valuable gifts closely follow Matthew's account of the Magi seeking Jesus and offering their treasures.
Crown Him (Christmas) — Chris Tomlin (2021) Matthew 2:11
The wise men approach the child, bow in homage, and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh, closely following Matthew’s account.
What Child Is This? — John Van Deusen (2022) Matthew 2:11
The three gifts brought in homage to the child correspond precisely to the offerings presented by the Magi.
What Child Is This? — Tommee Profitt & Avril Lavigne (2020) Matthew 2:11
The command to bring incense, gold, and myrrh directly recalls the gifts presented to the child Jesus by the Magi.
Comfort Zone — Evan Craft (2017) Matthew 2:13-15
The description of Jesus’ family as Middle Eastern refugees points to Joseph and Mary fleeing with Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s violence.

Matthew 2 (King James Version)

¹ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

² Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

³ When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

⁵ And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

⁶ And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

⁷ Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

⁹ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

¹² And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

¹³ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

¹⁵ And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

¹⁷ Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

¹⁸ In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

¹⁹ But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

²⁰ Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

²¹ And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

²² But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

²³ And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.