Glorious Advent

The seed of the woman is now born

The seed protected from life’s storm

Through flood and famine, war, and strife

God preserved His promise of new life

All history has bowed its knee

To the Father’s sovereign strategy

The scarlet thread has given rise

To the Savior who was prophesied

The Word made flesh has dwelt among us

So that He might dwell within us.

And that, my friends is glorious

That, my friends is glorious

Now he comes in human form to us

He who made man from the dust

The God-man will rise from the dead

To crush the serpent’s hoarey head

Dabar, the Logos, Word made flesh

The very word of life made fresh

God’s gift for those who will receive.

Now indwells those who will believe.

The Word made flesh has dwelt among us

So that He might dwell within us.

And that, my friends is glorious

That, my friends is glorious

Anthony Foster

Genesis 3, John 1

December 24, 2012

Cherubikon

Guardians of the Glory

What must you think tonight?

Your charge has condescended

To put off his glorious rights

To come incarnate to earth

God with us now to dwell

Here in a mysterious birth

Lies the glory of Emmanuel

Amazed now stand the cherubim

And wings still shield their eyes

From the glory in the manger

Where mercy and peace lies

You never foresaw this event

So with us you stand amazed

For this veil of flesh shall soon be rent

And eyes will still avert their gaze

Yet now within a stable

His glory shineth bright

If men have eyes to see it

They’ll not forget the sight

Light to men and light to angels

Blazing glorious in the babe

Ancient of days and God Most High

Descends from glory, man to save

For ages past the angels

Have worshipped and called out

Of blessing honor, glory

And power they all shout

The most high has become low

The only begotten son

Amidst the cattle here below

And now he hears their song

We carry this light to the darkness

By this light of life we see

We walk by the Light of Blessedness

Revealer of marvelous mystery

Anthony  Foster

Christmas 2012

Living Creatures

Living creatures at the throne

In His presence you alone

Have stood for ages at His feet

Defenders of the mercy seat

Bull and eagle, lion and man

Your wings for covering cannot stand

For stones of fire n’ere paved a way

Christ splits the skies to save the day.

Demons tremble Mountains shake

Angels assemble as Oceans quake

You are here to lead many sons to glory

You come to lead sinners on to victory

The anointed cherub who fell to earth

Now witnesses His judge’s birth.

For every scheme the devil lies

And nothing that old serpent tries

Can stop this love from coming down

It forms the chains by which he’s bound

For from Your presence sin shall flee

These things that angels longed to see

Demons tremble Mountains shake

Angels assemble as Oceans quake

You are here to lead many sons to glory

You come to lead sinners on to victory

Come the dayspring from on high

The light of righteousness now rise

You are our life, the light of men

And darkness cannot comprehend

How boldly we stand before the throne

Surrounded by the fiery stones

That burn in your most holy place

So we blaze till we see you face to face.

Anthony Foster

Christmas 2012

Cast All Crowns

All those whom the faith have kept

For His return they loved and longed

A crown of righteousness accept

For  maranatha is their song.

To all who the good news proclaim

Who loved and led men to the Lord

Who called the least of these by name

A crown of rejoicing is your reward

To all who temptation endure

Those faithful through the trials of fire

The crown of life has been secured

For obedience was your desire.

Now lay your crowns before the Throne

Of the Lamb who created all things

For by His will they were created

And by His word they have being.

Worthy are thou O Lord our God,

   To receive glory and honor and power

Worthy are thou O Lord our God,

   To receive glory and honor and power

To all who seek to humbly serve

Who shepherd God’s own people home

A crown of glory is reserved

A gift to cast before Christ’s throne.

To those who with self control live

Who subdue sin and from it flee

The imperishable crown Christ Jesus gives

As proof of His glorious victory.

These crowns all glorify the King

Before His footstool cast them down

The victor’s stephanos now bring

To Christ alone yield every crown.

So lay your crowns before the Throne

Of the Lamb who created all things

For by His will they were created

And by His word they have being.

Worthy are thou O Lord our God,

   To receive glory and honor and power

Worthy are thou O Lord our God,

   To receive glory and honor and power

2 Tim 4:8

1 Thes 2:19

James 1:12

1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Cor 9:25

Rev 4:9-11

Anthony Foster

December 1, 2012

Incarnation

Incarnation

What a mystery- this babe spoke eternity

Human flesh clothing God's Glory!

In all of history our only hope is His  story

Undiminished deity and perfect humanity

Born to a virgin mother

Heaven and Earth touch one another!

Our very life has its birth

God incarnate came to this earth

Came to be the one of Worth

The lamb of our salvation

Love and mercy for our transformation

What a mystery- this babe spoke eternity

Human flesh clothing God's Glory!

In all of history our only hope is His  story

God in an untouched womb- God in an unmarked tomb

Where one His presence sanctified

The other held him when He died

He was the substitution- justice's retribution

For on that night His life did not begin

And in that death His life did not end!

Our very life has its birth

God incarnate came to this earth

Came to be the one of Worth

For eternity future and eternity past

The saviour of the world is the first and the last!

What a mystery- this babe spoke eternity

Human flesh clothing God's Glory!

In all of history our only hope is His  story...

Christmas 1986

Anthony Foster

Song of Zechariah

Through the tender mercy of our God

Comes the Dayspring from on High

To visit us, to guide our feet upon this sod

By His own blessed light he now draws nigh

So to those who sit in darkness beneath the shadow that death casts

The faithfulness of salvation has come to us at last

Celebrate this baby -fall down at His feet

Worship him as saviour and Christmas is complete.

Fall on your knees- adore the holy One

Fall on your knees- for God has sent His son!

And so this child of Bethlehem came to bear the covenant sign

The seal of kingdom promises - the crux of God’s design

To see God’s throne in humility you must have wizened eyes

The thrill of hope breaks forth in song for in the cradle mercy lies

Dec 30,1997

Anthony Foster

Emmanuel’s Song

Emmanuel’s Song

God so loved the world

That he gave us His only Son

Now our God is for us

So we’ll join the chorus

To declare what our great God has done!

At Christmas time we sing Christ’s praise

And gather his story to tell

For the reason he came

For the sake of the name

And to be our Emmanuel!

Oh come to us Emmanuel,

God with us forever to dwell

tabernacle in hearts

nevermore  to depart

And we’ll  go all the world to tell!

For though he was equal with God

Equality he did not grasp

He put off his glory

To write us the story

That fulfills more than we know to ask

For when he put on human flesh

And came to earth to dwell

On that Christmas day

He brought with him the way

To become our Emmanuel.

Oh come to us Emmanuel,

God with us forever to dwell

tabernacle in hearts

nevermore  to depart

And we’ll  go all the world to tell!

January 05

Anthony Foster

A Christmas Wish for You

In Jacob's house a star did rise- a scepter out of Israel

One who redeems and sanctifies-  just as the prophets did foretell.

Sacrifices  did not reconcile God's righteousness and peace

They only pointed to this child in whom we find release.

He came to be our Savior- our ark and covenant

He came to bestow favor no one save him may grant.

For holiness demands a price for God and man to meet

A pure and final sacrifice laid on the mercy seat.

Under the wings of cherubim God's Glory dwelt in love

Now Glory fully dwells in Him who we're made in the image of.

For in this baby is the place where atonement and truth meet-

A Savior born to be embraced is now our mercy seat...

May you fully experience the Joy of the Lord this Christmas

The Foster Family 2012

Strange but True

Strange but True

A cattle stall holds The Holy Child
I know this has the earmarks of a fable
But the wrath of God would be reconciled
By the treasure of Heaven in a stable

Myth can be strange but fact is stranger still
An we couldn't make this up if we were able
God's Holy Will would be fulfilled
By the mystery of ages in a stable

It is strange but true- what will you do
When you're faced with one who truth itself's become
When we fact the facts of how God enacts
His will you'll surely see his will be done!

A spotless Lamb was the price for the sacrifice
And would end up on some priest or Levites table
But God's lamb alone is the one that atones
He's the all sufficient offering in a stable.

Strange but true- what will you do
When you're faced with one who truth itself's become
When we fact the facts of how God enacts
His will you'll surely see his will be done!

Anthony Foster
December 23,1998

Names

So Many Names

Wonderful Counselor is your name!

The Glory of God is your Wonderful aim!

All  comfort and counsel come from our Christ’s hand

For you brought God’s glory  down to  man…

Mighty God I call your name

To o’ercome  the world is why you came

Victorious warrior you shall Win

The God-Man has victory over all sin.

Now who could bear so many names?

What other could fulfill their claims?

None other than God’s Holy One

God sends salvation in His Son

The fullness of  beauty  of the One who is blessed

Could never by one name be fully expressed

The power of His Presence shall be our reward

When we call on the name of the Lord.

Everlasting Father you alone

Shall make provision for your own

No other father can compare

We rest in your eternal care!

Prince of Peace come rule in us

Who in your righteous rule now trust

You reign in us and reign alone

You make our hearts your holy throne.

Now who could bear so many names?

What other could fulfill their claims?

None other than God’s Holy One

God sends salvation in His Son

The fullness of  beauty  of the One who is blessed

Could never by one name be fully expressed

The power of His Presence shall be our reward

When we call on the name of the Lord.

Anthony Foster

December 24, 2003

Starshine

Starshine

Decorate my  heart with light

Hang your green upon my walls

Set my  soul ablaze tonight

And dwell in newly hallowed halls

For every door is open wide

To bid the babe to come inside.

For every door is open wide

To bid the babe to come inside.

Star of David   so bright

Overshadowed by Bethlehem’s star tonight

The daystar, morningstar  gives us His light

Shining by the power of His might

For every door is open wide

To bid the babe to come inside.

For every door is open wide

To bid the babe to come inside.

Overshadowed by the one

Who shines more brightly than the sun

For the star of the morning is brighter by far

Than the sun in our sky and the moon and the stars.

For every door is open wide

To bid the babe to come inside.

For every door is open wide

To bid the babe to come inside.

December 14, 2003

Anthony Foster

Firstborn

The Firstborn

The angels proclaim the Good News- a baby in a manger lies

The firstborn of a virgin womb, and all who seek this sign are wise.

The angels then became silent- for thirty years they sought the day

When all he came for was fulfilled- for they had nothing left to say.

The firstborn of the virgin womb lies in a stable-cave

God’s Son, the only begotten is born our souls to save.

The angel said "He is not here", who saw the righteous sun arise

The firstborn of a virgin tomb, thus born, he never dies.

The sign of Jonas was now giv’n to those who lacked faith’s eyes to see

The firstborn of many brothers, leading many sons to glory

The firstborn child of Mary’s womb is the firstborn of virgin grave

God’s son the only begotten, is born again our souls to save...

December 12,1996

Love Came Down

Love Came Down

The radiance of heaven is found within the face

Of the One who is sustaining all creation

And now to us this glory is passed into this place

How can earth bear the weight of jubilation?

We have seen the glory of the only begotten son

We have heard the joy of the song the angel's sung.

Heaven's glory is here on earth

Heaven's glory in this Holy birth

So come let us worship as we kneel before His throne

Now come let us adore Him and make his glory known!

Heaven is wherever He is

And that is where I desire to stay

Heaven is found where Jesus dwells

Let time and eternity visit us today

And heaven comes down to visit us Emmanuel on Earth

God is with us Evermore in our blessed Savior's birth.

We have seen the glory of the only begotten son

We have heard the joy of the song angels have sung.

Heaven's glory is here on earth

Heaven's glory in this Holy birth

So come let us worship as we kneel before His throne

Now come let us adore Him and make his glory known!

Anthony Foster

December 23,1998

Advent

Advent

Break forth like the rising sun I pray…

With Heaven’s glory dawns this day

To pierce our darkness with your light

Deliver us  by the power of your might!

The fiery advent of God’s grace

Will drive the darkness from this place

And fill the earth with the glorious glow

Of hearts made hearths His flame to show

Chorus

Oh glory come to fill our night

We glory in celestial light

Christ comes to make the darkness bright

Oh come to us dear Christmas Light

Oh light the darkness cannot dim

Shine forth from the very face of him

Whose righteous glory is displayed

In radiance that shall never fade!

So may we walk in your bright path

And so  be saved from fiery wrath

All who’re found within this light

That conquers death and makes us right

Chorus

Oh glory come to fill our night

We glory in celestial light

Christ comes to make the darkness bright

Oh come to us dear Christmas Light

Anthony Foster

December 11, 2003

2003 was a very good year for songs

The Gifts

I will give to you, Lord, of my gold,

The possessions that I have known

Though all I hold precious comes from your hand

You’ll be my true treasure alone.

I will bring to you my frankencense

Smell this incense of worship, my Lord

As a sweet smelling sacrifice

My life in love will be outpoured…

For as all good gifts come down from above

By the Fathe r of Lights we are blessed

He gives His all so we might live in His love

And we will be wise men if we give Him our best.

I will offer my gift of pure myrhh

For like  myrhh my life will be crushed

A daily death dying to self and to pride

I will honor you with all my trust

For as all good gifts come down from above

By the Father of Lights we are blessed

He gives His all so we might live in His love

And we will be wise men if we give Him our best.

Anthony Foster

December 25, 2003

Starbeams

Starbeams, Crossbeams

Starbeams of light up in the sky
Showing forth as we draw nigh
One beam reaches up and down
One beam reaches side to side
To declare to the world the lamb of God
Emmanuel has come to us to abide

A mothers travail and her child's cry
Come to give the answer why.
Starbeams, crossbeams
Telling us what life can mean
Sign of promise, signs of life
Sign of joy and signs of strife.

Starbeams, crossbeams
Reaching forth to fill our dreams
Dreams of life and peace on earth
Dreams of death and of rebirth

Crossbeams of wood up in the sky
Showing forth as we draw nigh
One beam reaches up and down
One beam reaches side to side
To declare to the world the lamb of God
Has come now to be crucified.

A mothers travail and her child's cry
Come to find the answer why.
Starbeams, crossbeams
Telling us what life can mean
Sign of promise, signs of life
Sign of joy and signs of strife.

Starbeams, crossbeams
Reaching forth to fill our dreams
Dreams of life and peace on earth
Dreams of death and of rebirth

Anthony Foster
December 24,1998

Whispered Word

The Grace that Once was Etched in Stone

The Word of God was whispered in a Baby
A silent shout of promise filled the night
While mankind could not comprehend His Glory
The darkness could not comprehend the light!

A holy child abides now in a manger
While shepherds are abiding in the fields
The temple's sacrificial flocks attending
Rejoiced to see God's final lamb revealed!

Spirit winds and angelsongs fan servant fires
Hearts of flesh join with the angels' praise
All heaven from eternity adored Him
This infant is the Ancient of Days!

His throne is now a feeding trough and binding rags his robes
His diadem a bed of straw that crowns creation's hopes!
The grace that once was etched in stone
In Human flesh now dwells
God's law in him, would be fulfilled
This Divine Dayspring's Holy Well!

December 24,1998
Anthony Foster

Song of the Son

Song of the Son

Sing of the gift God is giving

Sing of the gift of the Living

Sing of the son of the star and the Dawn

He lies in the hay with a cry and a yawn.

Oh my treasure

Loved beyond measure

The savior of my heart is born

The one who by grace

My sin shall replace

With His righteousness this Christmas morn.

Oh my treasure

Loved beyond measure

The savior of the world has come

The one who by grace

Shall die in my place

And will rise again when it is done

So I shall sing the song of the Son

For His song is a longing for glory He left

To come to stand for us as heaven’s good gift

For heaven itself could not contain

The song of the Son that His birth has made plain..

Oh my treasure

Loved beyond measure

The savior of my heart is born

The one who by grace

My sin shall replace

With His righteousness this Christmas morn.

Oh my treasure

Loved beyond measure

The savior of the world has come

The one who by grace

Shall die in my place

And will rise again when it is done

So I shall sing the song of the Son

Anthony Foster

December 11, 2003