Alberti Magni Opera Omnia, Vol. XXXVII

QUESTION VII.

After this it is asked, At what hour of time was the Annunciation made?

And it seems
1. First, that it was at the dawn of the day. For the work of creation began from light, Gen. 1:3: Let there be light, etc.: therefore much more strongly [so should] the work of recreation, which is much nobler.
2. Item, In the Incarnation the day of grace began: but every day begins from light: therefore the recreation began from light.
3. Item, It is placed in the Sentences original: "1" that the sun was made from light, or a little cloud: but the creation of the sun from a little cloud is a figure of the creation of the Lordly body from the most blessed Virgin: therefore that ought to have been done while light existed: therefore in the day.

That it was at midday, however, it seems through a figure: because
1. It is said in Genesis that Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent in the very heat of the day original: "2", when Isaac was announced. But this annunciation was a figure of this annunciation: therefore this one ought to have been done at midday.
2. Item, On the same day he suffered and was incarnated: therefore for the same reason and at the same hour: but he suffered at midday: therefore also incarnated: but the Incarnation followed immediately after the annunciation: but the Incarnation was at midday: therefore the annunciation was also made at midday.
3. Item, At midday the sun is at its highest: but the sun at its highest signifies charity at its summit: but here charity at its summit was shown: therefore at midday.

1 Master, Book II of the Sentences, Dist. 13.
2 Gen. 18, 1.