Augustine, Sermones 364-375 (Classis V, Sermones dubii)

Figures of this were foreshadowed by victims before grace. What was to come about in one way, divine providence foretold in many ways, so that it might show how great it was. He Himself is the physician, He Himself the medicine: the physician, because He is the Word; the medicine, because the Word was made flesh. He Himself is the priest, He Himself the sacrifice. It is He Who changed the way of the Magi: He also even now changes the life of the wicked. His manifestation in the flesh, which in Greek is called Epiphany, the nations justified in the spirit celebrate together in today's solemnity: so that the solemnity may renew the memory, piety may flourish through devotion, charity may glow through the gathering, truth may shine upon the envious.

Sermon 375. On the Epiphany of the Lord, 3.

Christ manifested first to the Jews and afterwards to the Gentiles. Infants made martyrs. Two walls meeting at the corner. Epiphany in Latin is manifestation. The Lord Christ was manifested to the Jews a few days ago by His nativity; but on this present day He was made known to the Gentiles through a star. The ox has known its owner, and the ass the manger of its Lord (Isa. 1:3). The ox from the Jews, the ass from the Gentiles; both came to one manger, and found the food of the Word. The Magi who came to worship Christ, and who signify the first fruits of the Gentiles, did not receive the Law, did not hear the Prophets: the star was the tongue of heaven. As if it were said to them: What gain have I sought from you? The heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 18:2). And yet Herod, troubled, asked of the Jews where Christ was to be born. And they answered: In Bethlehem of Judah; and they brought forward the prophetic testimony; and while the Magi went on to worship, they themselves remained immovable. They are stones on the embankment [of the road]; they show the way, and do not themselves walk. Nevertheless the Magi went on to Bethlehem; but when the city had been found, how can they find the house? Behold, that star which shone from heaven led them down on earth, and stood over the place where the child was. How great the service of the elements, and the wickedness of the Jews! Herod was troubled, as if Christ had come to seek and find an earthly kingdom. The lion of heaven is born, and the little earthly fox is troubled. The Lord said of Herod: Go, tell that fox (Luke 13:32). Troubled, what did it do? It killed infants. What did it do? It killed infants for the infant Word (Matt. 2). They were made martyrs by blood before they could confess the Lord with the mouth. And these first fruits Christ sent to the Father. An infant came, and infants went; the infant to us, infants to God. Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise (Ps. 8:3). Let us rejoice, the day has shone upon us. The Magi, the first fruits of the Gentiles, signified us.

The Jews recognized [Him] when He was born; the Gentiles recognized [Him] yesterday. Different walls came to the cornerstone, from one side the Jews, from the other the Gentiles; from different directions, but not to different ends. You have seen and you know that walls are as far apart from each other as they are distant from the corner. As far as they draw near to the corner, they draw near to each other: when they have come to the corner, they cleave to each other. This Christ did. Far apart from each other had been the Jews and the Gentiles, circumcision and foreskin, those of the Law and those without the Law, worshippers of the one true God, and of many false [gods]. How far? But He is our peace, Who made both one. But those who came from the Jews are themselves counted in the good wall: for those who came did not remain in the ruin. We have been made one, they and we: but in the One, not in ourselves (Eph. 2:11–22). From where was Christ born? From the Jews. Thus you have it written, Salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22): but not for the Jews alone. For He did not say, Salvation to the Jews; but, Salvation from the Jews. They seized [Him], and they themselves lost [Him]; they bound [Him], and He escaped them; they saw [Him], and they killed [Him]: we neither seized [Him], and yet we hold [Him]; nor saw [Him], and yet we believe; we are later, and yet we go ahead. Those who went before us lost the way: but we have both found the way, and walking in it we shall come to the homeland.