A Marriage Arranged

Ad virginem Deus aligerum portitorem mittit: nam dat arrham, dotem suscipit, qui fert gratiam; fidem refert, et tradit munera virtutis, qui mox virginei consensus resolvit sponsionem. Pervolat ad sponsam festiuus interpres, ut a Dei sponsa humanae desponsationis arceat et suspendat affectum, neque auferat a Joseph virginem sed reddat Christo, cui est in utero pignorata eum fieret. Christus ergo suam sponsam recipit, non praeripit alienam; nec separationem facit, quando suam sibi totam jungit in uno corpore creaturam. Sanctus Petrus Chrysologus, Sermo CXL, De Annuntiatione D. Mariae Virginis Source: Migne PL 52.576a-b

To the Virgin God sends the winged carrier, he who brings grace, he gives a pledge, he takes the dowry, he carries back her promise, he gives gifts of power. The mediator flies swiftly to the betrothed, that he protect the bride from human betrothal and stay affection; he does not take the Virgin from Joseph but he returns her to Christ, to whom she was pledged in the womb when she was made. Christ thus receives his spouse, he does not take what is of another, he does not separate when he binds himself in one body to her his own creation. Saint Peter Chrysologus, from Sermon 140, On The Annunciation