earth (Ps 85:11); from Mary, a virgin before conceiving, a virgin after giving
SERMON 191
ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Date: 411 or 4121
Christ inserted himself into the passing procession of the years
1. The Word of the Father, through which all times were made, on being made flesh himself, gave us his birthday in time; and he wished one particular day to mark his human beginning, though without his divine behest no single day can run its course. He, with the Father, was there before all the vast extent of the ages; he, coming from his mother on this day, inserted himself into the passing procession of the years.
The maker of man, he was made man, so that the director of the stars might be a babe at the breast; that bread might be hungry, and the fountain thirsty; that the light might sleep, and the way be weary from a journey; that the truth might be accused by false witnesses, and the judge of the living and the dead be judged by a mortal judge; that justice might be convicted by the unjust, and discipline be scourged with whips; that the cluster of grapes might be crowned with thorns, and the foundation be hung up on a tree; that strength might grow weak, eternal health be wounded, life die.2
It was in order to endure these and similar indignities for our sake; in order to set free those who had forfeited all dignity, though he deserved no evil but endured such terrible evils on our behalf, and we deserved no good, but received such splendid goods through him; so it was for these reasons that the one who was before all ages the Son of God, without beginning of days, was prepared in these last days to become a son of man; and that the one who was bom of the Father, not made by the Father, was made in the mother whom he had made; so that he might exist here for a time, being bom of her who could never and nowhere have existed except through him.
Mary's virginity
2. Thus was fulfilled what the psalm had foretold: Truth has sprung from the earth (Ps 85:11); from Mary, a virgin before conceiving, a virgin after giving birth. I mean, God forbid that in that earth, that is in that flesh from which Truth