Christmas 1776 - the gift of freedom

smithsk.blogspot.com ^ | December 22, 2009 | smithsk

[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

[NEWwoman]

See if this picture takes:

[NonValueAdded]

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

[mountainlion]

A 1st cousin 7 times removed was killed in the battle of Long Island and my 4th Great Grandfather was wounded in the battle of Trenton. This country means more to me than our current politicians.

[NEWwoman]

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

[NEWwoman]

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.

[Steelfish]

Nice post- thanks

[NonValueAdded]

God Bless you as well. Coincidentally I am re-reading 1776 but am not up to Christmas-time yet. Washington has just arrived in NYC and is taking stock of the half-completed defenses. The British fleet is just arriving ... it doesn't look good for our intrepid Patriots ... good thing we know the ending!

[fella]

Time to watch “The Crossing” again or listen to recording of “To Try Men’s Souls”.

[NEWwoman]

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!

[fella]

Daniels played the best Washington I seen on screen. He also did well in “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals”.

[NEWwoman]

Daniels is quite versital - his roles are from the sublime to the ridiculous.