From this homily no less than from many others it is plainly proved that the Roman editors, in preparing the edition of the works of St. Ambrose, consulted neither the ancient manuscript codices nor the earlier editions of the Fathers, since they included this homily among the sermons of that same holy Doctor. Nor indeed did they err only in naming the author, but also in the title. Both must be demonstrated. And indeed, as concerns the first point, we produce twelve codices, repeatedly cited, which assign this homily to St. Maximus, of which four are Vatican: namely 4951, 4222, Palatinus 433 (p. 236), Reginensis 11 (p. 120); the rest from various libraries. The Laurentian codex 1, Plut. XIX, Pl. 70, has in express words:
'A sermon of St. Maximus the bishop, from the place above'; likewise the Casinensian 106 (p. 50, col. a, at the top), the Novariensian 27 (p. 135), the Vercellensian 81, the Lucensian 85, the Augiensian 16, the Modoetiensian B 3, and finally the Taurinensian, homily 25, 'On the Epiphany of the Lord.' Gymnicus, who preceded the Roman edition of Ambrose by twenty-five years, placed it among the Maximian homilies as no. 5 (p. 55). Following Gymnicus were Galesinius (homily 5, 'On the Epiphany,' p. 102), Combefis (vol. II, p. 79), Cumdius (vol. I, p. 508), Margarinus in the Bibliotheca Maxima (vol. VI, p. 12), and Raynaudus (p. 202). But the title is wholly foreign to the homily. For thus in the Roman Sixtine edition this homily is inscribed: 'On the Baptism of Christ';
although the author says not a word about it, and from head to foot praises the magi who sought the newborn Christ, and vehemently rebukes the unbelieving Jews. It is salutary and fitting for us, brethren, that as we assemble for the feasts of the Lord and the mysteries of our Savior — over whose nativity we have rejoiced — we should be glad at his manifestation: because, as the Son of God is glorious in being born, so he is wonderful in appearing. For it is marvelous that Christ proceeded from a virgin; and no less magnificent that he was shown forth from heaven. Very marvelous that the earth received the new man; no less astonishing that a new star from heaven made this new man known. In Judea Christ was wailing in the manger before the shepherds;
and in Chaldea he was gleaming among the stars before the eyes of the magi. Among the Jews he lay lowly in swaddling clothes; among the Gentiles he shone in glory. And indeed it was necessary that a heavenly testimony should precede the Lord of the heavens, and that a sign of light should reveal the Author of light. Great and awesome is this mystery, brethren, when one and the same is announced as God from the Father and man from the mother; one and the same the son of a woman and the son of majesty; one and the same a partaker of men and the Lord of angels. For who can reckon of how great a sacrament, and of how great a glory it is, that he who feeds all things should suck at the breast, and that he who furnishes the substance of life from heaven to all living creatures should, for the salvation of the earthborn, be nourished with earthly milk?
Let no one therefore doubt, let no one hesitate, that Christ while dwelling on earth was shining in heaven, because he so came to the earth that he did not forsake heaven. And hence it is that the angels praise this virgin-born boy, the shepherds marvel, heaven bears witness, and the magi venerate him, because his mystical nativity gladdened both earth and heaven with everlasting joy. This king of the heavenly ones, then, and ruler of men, coming under the mystery of the flesh, the envious Herod dreads, and unfaithful Judea abjures. Herod trembles at an infant of royal dignity, because he does not know the goodness of the newborn; Judea abjures the Christ whom it proclaims, because, fearing for its own impieties, it flees the equity of the just Judge;
and blinded by the darkness of its own crimes, it alone cannot see what shines forth from heaven upon all: and whereas the teaching of all the patriarchs and the prophetic utterances of holy men did not bend the Jewish hearts to the recognition of the Son of God, the ray of a single star awakened the faith of the Gentiles. What so great a change is this, brethren, what a conversion? Among the Jews the prophet speaks, and is not heard; among the Gentiles the star is silent, and persuades. Truly, as it is written: 'They to whom it was not announced concerning him shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand' (Isa. 52; Rom. 15). For behold the Chaldeans, to whom nothing had ever been foretold about mysteries of this kind, understood the nativity of Christ;
and diligently seeking Christ himself, under the guidance of the star shown from heaven, they merited to find him. Nor indeed were these things either understood or seen by any base, obscure, and abject men, but by the Chaldeans — that is, among whom the error of superstitions reigned. Among these Christ, entering the world, found the firstfruits of his saving work: and there arose between the Jews and the Gentiles a certain contest of faithlessness and faith. For at the birth of Christ, Chaldea exulted, and all Jerusalem with its princes was tormented. The Jew persecuted, the magus adored; and Herod was whetting the sword, the Chaldean was preparing gifts.
But what wonder if that Jewish throng did not receive the infancy of Christ, which even contemptuously abused and despised him as he raised the dead? What wonder if the Jews spurned Christ lying in the cradle, when — though he gave new light to the blind, or restored the light they had lost, and healed diverse infirmities with his saving word — ungrateful to all the benefits of the redeeming Lord, they accused him with the slanders of a lying tongue? What wonder if at his nativity they neglected the tokens of the shining star, they who at his passion, even as the sun mourned, rejoiced? What wonder if, when the Chaldeans arrived, these refused to believe, whom not even the concourse of angels could lead to the faith of the truth?
Let us therefore rejoice, brethren, and exult in the Lord, celebrating with all joy the festival of the everlasting mystery — we who do not deny the Lord's nativity by carnal conjectures, but confess it with simple faith; we who came to know the Savior's coming not from announcing magi, but from the Father bearing witness from above; we who no longer seek Christ the Lord wailing among the swaddling clothes, but venerate him reigning in heaven, Jesus Christ the Lord.