1 Cattle know their master's manger oxen feel their owner's tread; we alone, in mortal danger, shall we feel no joy, no dread? 2 Shall our God be ever nearer than he is this day, this night? Can his love be closer, clearer, than in Bethlehem's pure light? 3 Yes! In darkness we have found him, nailed upon a cross of wood; here is love, and earth around him is transfigured by his blood. 4 Hear his first, his final calling; sense his footstep, see his hand: he alone keeps us from falling; how long till we understand? 5 Call on God while he is near us, seek him while he may be found! Christ has come! and he will hear us, earth again be holy ground.