Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 or Luke 1:46b-55 • 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 • Romans 16:25-27 • Luke 1:26-38
Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, the lights dim as we sing Silent Night softly. Mom would kneel, fold her hands, and cry. She was not sad but grateful. This was her moment to take a breath and soak in God’s blessings.
On December 22, 2019, we lost our mom, and I am sadly distracted from experiencing Advent. The anticipation of the birth of Christ has been hijacked.
In 2020, we have lost more than 225,000 of our loved ones to COVID. Christmas festivities, gatherings, and Advent liturgy are “live-streamed.” We will experience nativity pageants, hymns, and family traditions in new ways- will the Three Kings adorn masks?
Today we have been given the gift of the “Covenant Psalm.” In Psalm 89, David has been defeated, darkness prevails, and the people cry out. The Jews yearn for God to send an anointed king who will deliver Israel. Despite the chaos and confusion, the Psalmist affirms God’s promises and sings the “Lord’s great love forever.”
Perhaps this Advent, without the “normal” noise of Christmas, we can allow the silence and words of Psalm 89 to remind us of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love. In the silence, we can recognize our yearning for the coming light of Jesus. Suddenly, “All is calm. All is bright… Christ the Savior is born” resounds in a new and hopeful tune.
Everlasting God, may your love stand firm forever. May others
experience your faithfulness as enduring as the heavens.
Donna Emery
Director of Development
Seminary of the Southwest
Listen to Donna read her meditation and prayer:
Donna Emery, as a seasoned community leader and nonprofit professional, finds joy in fundraising and building innovative solutions through philanthropy with a focus on donor stewardship. Through her advocacy and extensive work in the community, she has served at all levels of a nonprofit (executive staff, middle fundraising staff member, one-person team, a board member and as a volunteer).
Prior to Southwest, Donna served as the Development Director at Mobile Loaves & Fishes and was responsible for raising over $40 million in capital to build Community First! Village, a nationally recognized solution to ending chronic homelessness. During her seven-year tenure, she was responsible for developing an organization-wide stewardship program focused on engaging stakeholders as active volunteers and directing the fundraising strategy to move the organization into a period of expansive growth.
Donna believes the core of any good fundraising program resides in the commitment to stewarding donor relationships where integrity, honesty and gratitude are fundamental. Recognized as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2018 Outstanding Fundraising Professional, she has extensive experience in capital campaign strategy and leadership, major gift solicitation, annual giving, and donor engagement strategy and cultivation.
Donna is married to Mark and they have two children: a daughter, Elizabeth and a son, Matthew both active members of the Camp Allen community. She a graduate of Texas A&M and has achieved certification as a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). She takes pride as cradle Episcopalian and she serves as a vestry member at St. Michaels Austin.
Bert graduated from Duke Divinity School with a Master of Divinity and received his Diploma in Theological Studies from the Seminary of the Southwest. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Since 2008, Bert has served in parish ministry, and he is committed to leading the church into healthy and sustainable growth. Bert has been invited to lead retreats, preach, and teach in a variety of settings in the larger Episcopal Church, and he also exercises his entrepreneurial leadership through his non-profit corporation, Fishers of Men. With a keen interest in the art of fly fishing, Bert leads men on retreats across the country with the objective to discover the intersection of fly fishing and spirituality.
Bert and his wife Sarah, along with their two children, enjoy living in the Texas Hill Country. Outside of the parish, Bert is found running, fly fishing, hunting, or reading.
The Advent Meditations and Prayers are a gift to our seminary community and are made possible through gifts to our Annual Fund. Seminary of the Southwest appreciates the support of its friends, alumni, and the communities around the world that its graduates serve for the glory of God. This support ensures that Southwest, as an institution made of individuals dedicated to service to God and their fellow members of the body of Christ, can continue doing its part to build the body of Christ.
