Luke 19

Scripture Focus:
“When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’”
— Luke 19:5 (NRSVUE)

Reflection

Zacchaeus was not well liked. As a tax collector, he was seen as corrupt and greedy—a man no one wanted to share a table with. But when Jesus came to Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Him.

And then something remarkable happened. Jesus stopped, looked up, and called him by name: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”

That’s the heart of Advent right there. God comes close. Jesus doesn’t pass by or ignore the ones others overlook. He looks up, sees us where we are, and invites Himself in—not to judge, but to transform. Zacchaeus’ response is immediate: he welcomes Jesus joyfully and his heart changes completely.

Advent is about that same encounter. It’s the invitation to come down from whatever distance we’ve created—to open our hearts and homes to the Christ who desires to dwell with us. When we do, something in us shifts. Grace moves in. And life is never the same again.

Prayer

God who sees us,
You call us by name and come close in love.
Even when we hide behind success, fear, or shame,
You find us and invite Yourself in.
Give us hearts ready to welcome You,
and courage to let Your presence change us.
May our joy overflow into generosity and grace,
as we live out the good news that salvation has come to our house.
Amen.

Practice

Today, take time to invite Jesus consciously into your day.
You might whisper a simple prayer:
“Lord, stay at my house today.”

Then look for moments when you can welcome His presence—
through a conversation, an act of kindness, or time spent in stillness.
Consider also extending hospitality to someone else:
a friend, neighbor, or stranger who might need to feel seen and valued.
Each welcome becomes a doorway for grace.

Copyright © 2025 Ronda Welander