Readings · Other Readings
The Most Wonderful of All Things in Life
The most wonderful of all things in life is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a growing depth, beauty and joy as the years increase. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing; it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is a sort of divine accident, and the most wonderful of all things in life.
Where it fits in the ceremony
In most ceremonies the readings follow the officiant’s welcome, before the vows; a second reading can come between the vows and the exchange of rings. In a civil ceremony, some registrars ask to see readings in advance to confirm they contain no religious content — this one will pass.
Pair it with
Two readings that balance this one:
- Dearly Beloved (Book of Common Prayer) — “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here” — the opening of the 1662 marriage service.
- The Little Boat — Tolstoy’s Levin discovers that marriage is like getting into a little boat: delightful, and difficult.