1  Though Christ a thousand times

    In Bethlehem be born,

    If He's not born in thee

    Thy soul is still forlorn.

    The Cross on Golgotha,

    Will never save thy soul;

    The Cross in thine own heart,

    Alone can make thee whole,

 2  What e'er thou lovest, man,

    That too become thou must;

    God, if thou lovest God,

    Dust, if thou lovest dust.

    Go out, God will come in;

    Die thou and let Him live;

    Be not and He will be;

    Wait and He'll all things give.

 3  To bring thee to thy God,

    Love takes the shortest route;

    The way which knowledge leads,

    Is but a roundabout.

    Drive out from thee the world,

    And then thy heart shall be

    Filled with the love of God,

    And holy like as He.