2011 marked the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. And 2012 marks another landmark for a significant Christian text; the Book of Common Prayer is 350 years old. It’s now translated into numerous languages across the world, but it was first created by Thomas Cranmer, who was Archbishop of Canterbury and an influential leader in the English Reformation.

When writing the book, Cranmer didn’t create it from scratch. He collated and adapted existing texts before contributing his own words. As a consequence the Book of Common Prayer, as we now know it, contains writing and wisdoms from other sources which are even older than its 350 years.

But this isn’t simply a relic. It’s a vibrant text that’s still used today as the basis of many acts of worship.
The Book has had a turbulent history; one that’s seen it move in and out of favour against shifting religious and political backgrounds. Yet, its inspiring language means that it’s survived these challenges. In particular, it continues to give us familiar words at times of great change. The rites of passage that form the landmarks of our lives: birth, death and marriage.

Even if you’ve never been to church, or even attended a marriage ceremony, the words “to have and to hold from this day forwards, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health” will be familiar to you. They run through our everyday lives; we see them in the pivotal wedding scenes of films and soap operas.

And, when we lose someone we love, the words “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” remind us how the cycles and patterns of life continue. They help us mark our loss, and find ways to move on.

These familiar words have been with us for generations. They’re embedded into the very fabric of our lives and our language. But the Book of Common Prayer is more than these landmark rites and rituals. It supports everyday reflection and meditation. Its rhythms match the weekly pattern, the daily schedule, the momentary breath, and transient heartbeat of its reader. At 350 years old, it continues to be a useful work of inspirational beauty.