An idiot’s guide to the Council of Nicea’s big posh creed of compromise

This month marks 1,700 years since the council of Nicaea met to agree the statement of faith still said in many churches around the world each week. Nick Page delves into the murky world of Church politics, arguments about theology and what any of it has to do with Christians today

Every year at Christmas, the carol ‘Oh come all ye faithful’ takes me by surprise. It starts well, all joyful and triumphant and with everyone agreeing to “come ye to Bethlehem”. So far, so Christmassy. But then we hit verse two, and suddenly we seem to be singing the terms and conditions: “God of God, Light of Light / Lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb / Very God, begotten not created / Oh come let us adore him” (and repeat until exhausted).

What on earth is this? What does it mean? And what has it got to do with Christmas?