if we have not learned that god’s in man,
and man in god again;
that to love thy god is to love thy brother,
and to serve the lord is to serve each other,—
then christ was born in vain!
if we have not learned that one man’s life
in all men lives again;
that each man’s battle, fought alone,
is won or lost for every one,—
then christ hath lived in vain!
if we have not learned that death’s no break
in life’s unceasing chain;
that the work in one life well begun
in others is finished, by others is done,—
then christ hath died in vain!
if we have not learned of immortal life,
and a future free from pain;
the kingdom of god in the heart of man,
and the living world on heaven’s plan,—
then christ arose in vain!