The Christian faith is simple enough that even the most ignorant among us can grasp its basic outlines. At the same time, it's complex enough that scholars can dedicate their entire careers to studying it, yet still not exhaust its depths. Thankfully, the church has made it accessible enough that anyone can understand the essentials of what we are called to believe, and in grasping this, we have a lifetime of material to learn, meditate on, and grow from. One of the "easy parts" of this journey is the Nicene Creed.

Of course, the creed itself is not simple. Scholars have spent lifetimes studying its meaning and implications. But it is "easy" in the sense that it provides an outline of our faith, centered on the confession of the Holy Trinity. Many churches confess this creed every Sunday, and millions of Christians can recite it by heart. Perhaps you are one of those who know it by heart. If so, this book will challenge you to think more deeply about your faith and help you grow in it.

However, maybe you're someone who was never taught much about the Christian faith. Perhaps you're curious about what over 2 billion Christians around the world believe and what motivates their faith. This book is perfect for you as well.

Though this book can be read straight through, it's structured in 44 days, with each day focusing on a specific part of the creed. There’s no special significance to the number 44—it simply reflects the decision to break down the creed, phrase by phrase, and study each segment.

In English, the creed contains just 226 words. But these 226 words have the potential to transform your life.

Every Christmas, many of the world’s Christians think about St. Nicholas, who has become Santa Claus. St. Nicholas, who lived in modern-day Turkey from 270 to 343 AD, was known for his kindness and for giving gifts to poor children. But he was also a staunch defender of the Christian faith, and he attended the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, where the Nicene Creed was established. The creed takes its name from this council, where Christian leaders gathered to combat the false teachings of Arius, who denied the full divinity of Christ. Arius was a skilled orator, but his teachings were ultimately rejected. St. Nicholas, in particular, was so incensed by Arius’s arguments that he struck him in anger, showing just how deeply our spiritual ancestors valued correct doctrine.

Your life, too, can change in just 44 days. I encourage you to take each segment of the creed day by day. Read it, reflect on it, meditate on it, and explore the scriptural references that support it. Let it sink in, and prepare for your life to be transformed.

When we focus on the most significant aspects of life and reflect on them, it has the power to change us. It’s not merely about gaining more knowledge of our faith (though that’s certainly important). It’s about growing in our understanding of the God who loves us. And ultimately, that’s the greatest goal of all.