Posted on 12/24/2011 8:57:01 AM PST by NEWwoman
1776 was a watershed year in American History. July 4th, the colonies had declared independence from Britain. And so the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783) continued.
By December 1776, prospects of victory seemed remote for the Continental Army. The British had driven General Washington from New York to retreat to Pennsylvania. The annual enlistment of the American soldiers were expiring at the end of the year and funds as well as morale were low. If there was every a need for a Christmas miracle, it was needed in 1776.
In this bleak setting on Christmas Day, General Washington made a daring move to attack the enemy, crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey. The day after Christmas, Washington caught the Hessians by surprise and won the Battle of Trenton. That victory boost the morale of the Continentals and spurred the troops to continue fighting and eventually win the war.
For our first American Christmas in 1776, we got a priceless present from our founding fathers and mothers - Freedom!
Likewise, on the first Christmas, which we celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, we can receive the ultimate gift of Freedom:
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36,King James Version)
Merry Christmas and God Bless America! Painting jpg from: Wikimedia: Washington Crossing the Delaware
Related links to the Battle of Trenton: Trenton 1776 Battle of Trenton Timeline of the American Revolutionary War
Nice post! The battle was pivotal in terms of gaining street cred in Europe, as it were. Today George would simply have to fight for a pair of sneakers to be respected, no?
... ping out to Pharmboy
Thanks, NonValueAdded -
I read the Book, 1776. George Washington was amazing! Yes, he made some mistakes. But as Churchill said - he never, never, never gave up - even when it looked like all was lost. Without him, I doubt we would have won the won.
God bless
That is an amazing lineage.
* This country means more to me than our current politicians. *
Unfortunately, the bar has been set very low by our leaders. We need Washington now.
Nice post- thanks
Time to watch “The Crossing” again or listen to recording of “To Try Men’s Souls”.
Thanks, Steelfish
1776 - a great book with much research. Good ending, NonValueAdded.
Jeff Daniel’s was wonderful in The Crossing. Hard to believe he was in Dumb and Dumber.
Though Congress is not allowed to it - with their franking privelidges -
Merry Christmas!
Daniels played the best Washington I seen on screen. He also did well in “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals”.
Daniels is quite versital - his roles are from the sublime to the ridiculous.
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