CHAP. I. — The day having recently been celebrated on which unblemished virginity brought forth the Saviour of the human race, the venerable festival of the Epiphany, dearly beloved, gives us a perseverance of joys, so that among the neighbouring mysteries of kindred solemnities the vigour of exultation and the fervour of faith may not grow lukewarm. For it pertains to the salvation of all men, that the infancy of the Mediator of God and men was already being declared to the whole world, while as yet He was kept in a tiny little town. For although He had chosen the Israelite nation, and one family of that very nation, from which He would assume the nature of all humanity, He nevertheless did not wish the beginnings of His birth to lie hidden within the narrow confines of His mother's dwelling; but He willed to be soon acknowledged by all, He who deigned to be born for all.
To three magi therefore in the region of the East there appeared a star of new brightness, which, more illustrious and more beautiful than the other heavenly bodies, might easily draw to itself the eyes and minds of those beholding it: so that at once it might be perceived that a thing so unusual to behold was not without significance. It gave therefore to those who beheld an understanding of that which furnished a sign; and what it caused to be understood, it caused to be sought, and offered itself to be found when sought. CHAP. II. — Three men follow the guidance of the heavenly light, and, accompanying with intent contemplation the indication of the preceding radiance, are led by the splendour of grace to the recognition of the truth; who, judging in human fashion, deemed that the birth of the king signified to them was to be sought in the royal city.
But He who had taken the form of a servant, and had come not to judge but to be judged, chose Bethlehem for His nativity, Jerusalem for His passion. Herod indeed, hearing that a prince of the Jews had been born, feared, suspecting a successor; and, plotting the death of the author of salvation, promised false homage. How happy would he be, if he imitated the faith of the magi, and turned to religion what he was arranging for fraud! O blind impiety of foolish rivalry, which thinkest to disturb by thy fury the divine counsel! The Lord of the world does not seek a temporal kingdom, He who bestows the eternal. Why dost thou attempt to overturn the unchangeable order of appointed things, and to forestall the crimes of others?
The death of Christ is not of thy time. First the Gospel must be established, first the kingdom of God must be preached, first healings must be granted, first miracles must be wrought. Why dost thou wish that which is to be another's work to be thy crime? and, not about to attain the effect of the crime, why dost thou cast thyself headlong into the guilt of the will alone? By this contrivance thou profitest nothing, thou accomplishest nothing. He who was born by His own will shall die by the power of His own choice. The magi therefore accomplish their desire, and, the same star going before, come to the child, the Lord Jesus Christ. They adore the Word in the flesh, wisdom in infancy, power in weakness, and in the truth of a man the Lord of majesty;
and that they might manifest the mystery of their faith and understanding, they attest by their gifts what they believe in their hearts. They offer frankincense to God, myrrh to the man, gold to the king, knowingly venerating the divine and human nature in unity: for that which was proper in the substances was not diverse in power. CHAP. III. — But the magi having returned to their own region, and Jesus having been transferred to Egypt by divine admonition, the madness of Herod blazes forth in vain in his own devices. He commands all the little ones in Bethlehem to be slain, and since he knows not the infant whom he fears, he extends a general sentence against the age suspected by him. But what the impious king removes from the world, Christ inserts into heaven;
and to those for whom He had not yet paid the redemption of His blood, He already granted the dignity of martyrdom. Lift up therefore, dearly beloved, your faithful souls to the coruscating grace of the eternal light, and, venerating the mysteries bestowed for human salvation, subject your zeal to those things which were done for you. Love the purity of chastity, because Christ is the son of virginity. Abstain from carnal desires, which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11), as the present blessed apostle, as we read, exhorts us by his words. Be children in malice (1 Corinthians 14:20), because the Lord of glory conformed Himself to the infancy of mortals. Follow the humility which the Son of God deigned to teach His disciples (Matthew 11:29).
Put on the virtue of patience, in which you may gain your souls: since He who is the redemption of all is Himself the fortitude of all. Relish the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth (Colossians 3:2). Walk steadfastly by the way of truth and life; nor let earthly things hinder you, for whom heavenly things are prepared; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.