De Verbi Incarnatione

On the Incarnation of the Word. The almighty Father, at last taking pity from on high, after he had given everything to stand firm in a serene heaven, breathes divine love into all lands, always to honor with pious reverence the name of both son and father, and to sing and to be called into kingdoms under equal auspices: to him a future offspring, outstanding in virtue and destined to occupy the whole world with its laws. Yet, lest in the lands mortal hearts be troubled by an unknown divinity, a god sent from the high heaven, seen as mortal, could be seen as great as he was. There was a virgin of mature age, already of full years for marriage, whose lineage from ancestors was vast, as was her name and glory, undefiled in her marriage bed. She bore herself thus, joyful: chaste, she preserved her modesty with wondrous love. To her the form of a god—a spirit sent from high heaven, nourished within—mingles with her chaste body. Yet first he comforts her, uncertain, with friendly words: "Nurturing parent, about to bear the powerful lord of the world—for worthy of you are the cradles of our race—go, she says, O blessed one in your child, wherever you are called, made manifest by new auspices! Here the order turns, in whose coming faith and eternal fame abide." He had spoken: she, fearful, her eyes suffused with shining tears,

Sighing and drawing her voice from deep in her breast, the virgin replies: "I do not deem myself worthy of such an honor. It is not within my power, nor is it lawful, nor have I ever sought the torches of a husband or entered into such bonds. But after the commands of the gods, there is nothing I refuse to say. I accept and acknowledge willingly; I follow such great omens and will fulfill the heavenly gifts promised by the Father, the wondrous gifts of such great praises of God." Meanwhile, the house of almighty Olympus is opened into the starry seat, from where he looks down upon all lands from on high; and he addresses his son with friendly words: "Son, my strength, my great power alone, son, whom no day from the origin of things has proven unlike me, I embrace you as a companion in all things. Without you, the mind begins nothing lofty; all things with me you rule by eternal commands, and whatever exists everywhere, no glory will be sought for my deeds without you. All things underfoot, where the sun, returning, looks upon both oceans, will see you both turned and ruled, which I promise you; nor is there anything that can deceive you. These things will always be yours, predicted by the prophets of old; nor does my judgment, now changed in place, yield.

Be born, and before the day, come, O morning star, kindly one; be born, so that from the whole world the golden race may arise, whence also the great order of the heavens is born; be born, so that the great months may begin to proceed, so that the ancient traces of fraud may not remain on earth, so that all things may rejoice in the coming blessed age. Approach the great honors—the time will now be at hand. Then harsh ages will grow mild with wars laid aside, and kings will pacify the world with ancestral virtues. Without delay: immediately she carries out her father's commands, sends herself from the ether and fixes her gaze upon the virgin, beholding nothing mortal, when she is inspired by the now nearer divinity of God.... For at the same time, the mother endured the long weariness of ten months, and soon a new offspring shone forth in the bright light. Soon also the star of the great divinity advanced: a star, bearing a torch, ran with much light. "That first day of death and first day of salvation shows you the path to him. Celebrate him, whom you always find harsh, always honored, with favor. Yet annual vows, not more than one night...

Do not be sluggishly asleep, O men, and for the future feasts, openly by daylight, heap up the altars with pious gifts. Let your descendants remain in this religion. And now I myself shall revisit my father’s abode and citadel. Therefore take into your minds and fix these my words; all of you, be favorable with your mouths, and turn your attention here. Whenever from different directions you come into one seat, gathered from all sides, praise peace repeatedly, convene the assembly, let right hands join in covenants, where it is given: the sole inviolable pledge of peace. Learn justice, souls that will be in eternal peace and concord. If you do not think my words vain, no day will ever remove you from the memory of that age. I shall snatch away your mortal form and give you the rewards of the fortunate groves and the blessed abodes. You will not be dishonorable to the kingdom, nor will your fame be borne lightly; you will sit with me equally in the realms. The city which I establish is yours: it will be permitted to enter. I will never be absent, and I will station you safe within my father’s boundary; we will raise the same future descendants to the stars. But what worthy rewards shall I now also bring to you, while life remains? Not by our divine power for you…

The wealth of the rich field and the abundance of things will not be lacking. The most just earth pours forth from the soil an easy livelihood and burdens the furrows with produce and surpasses the granaries. The field flourishes, the vintage foams in full vats, the boughs of the leafy olive overflow with offspring, and as many fruits as the fertile tree puts forth in new blossom, so many will it hold ripe in autumn. Clear springs will not be lacking for the flocks, nor grasses, and as much as the herds crop during the long days, the cold dew restores by night. These are the things which it befits you to be warned by my voice. Live happily and keep them stored in your mind. When he had given these words, he soon raises himself into the breezes, looking up at the sky, hides his head among the clouds, and thus departing from the lands and the minds of his own, he removes the congealed stain and leaves behind the pure ethereal sense and the fire of simple air. From that time, the honored rite was celebrated, and joyful descendants kept the day, and every year these pious rites—mothers and men, boys and unwedded girls—celebrate with songs and pour libations on the altars with bowls. But I, who have sung of the great and wondrous divinity, these same things will remain for my people and my race.