Experience joy of Christ's coming with purity of heart

In reflecting on Father Anto’s homily for the Third week of Advent the main idea that came to me was the joy we should be experiencing in anticipation of Christ’s coming at Christmas.    Father Anto shared with us that a time we should experience joy is when our hearts are pure.   This joy is something he feels after making a good confession and it’s something we can also experience as well during this Advent season.  In Matthew’s Gospel people were coming to John the Baptist asking what they should do in expectation of the Christ coming.  John called for them to repent and to show love of neighbor by sharing their food and clothing with the poor and to treat others fairly by not abusing their positions for personal gain. To be best prepared to welcome Jesus at the joyous occasion of his birth is to have a pure heart. John’s words are good for us to reflect on in preparing to purify our hearts and confess our sins. A good confession is a pathway to a joy filled heart of purity.  It is a wonderful gift to God, our loved ones, and ourselves in getting ready for Christ’s coming by preparing our hearts to be pure to great him.  If you have not been to confession for while just let the priest know, as he will guide you through, so you can experience joy. May God bless during the last few weeks of Advent.