Patriotic  Moms
  • HOME
  • PURPOSE
  • TEACHING OUR CHILDREN
  • HOLIDAYS
  • SONGS
  • ARCHIVES
  • CONTACT

A Christmas Miracle for America

12/24/2019

4 Comments

 
Picture


In the winter of 1776, winning the Revolutionary War seemed hopeless for the Americans. They had lost major battles. They were starving, didn’t have adequate shelter or supplies, and morale was almost gone.  

“If every nerve is not strained to recruit the New Army with all possible expedition…I think the game is pretty near up," wrote General Washington to his brother Samuel.  

But God raised up help for our young nation through the power of the pen. Thomas Paine wrote these inspiring words that gave the troops renewed courage and determination:  

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”

General Washington knew this was his last chance to act. He formed a courageous, nearly impossible plan. He would cross the Delaware river with almost half of his army, about 2400 men, and surprise the enemy soldiers on the day after Christmas.  

They began crossing the Delaware at six in the evening on Christmas day. A remarkable troop of fishermen from Massachusetts worked for nine long hours, rowing boatload after boatload of men, cannons, and ammunition across the ice-choked river through a punishing gale of sleet and snow.  The last soldier reached shore at three o’ clock in the morning.

Then, the exhausted soldiers marched nine miles to Trenton through freezing wind and hail. A member of General Washington’s staff wrote, “It will be a terrible night for soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet, others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain.” Bloody footprints marked the path of these brave men.

The British Commander, Colonel Rall spent the night drinking and playing cards. When a local farmer tried to warn him that the Americans were coming, the servant who answered the door refused to interrupt the party to tell the Commander. So, the loyalist farmer scribbled a warning note to Colonel Rall. But Rall only stuffed it into his pocket—unread—which saved the weary American troops from disaster. Washington’s men were exhausted, freezing cold, and hungry.  They would have been an easy target for the strong enemy army.

With the help of God, the Americans won the fight in about two hours. The enemy troops were totally unprepared for battle. Of the 1,000 enemy troops, many were injured, and 948 were taken captive. Only four Americans were wounded in battle, and none were killed—although two froze to death.  It was an incredible victory—nothing short of a miracle—especially since it provided our soldiers with much needed food, clothing, bedding, and ammunition.  

As word of the victory spread, confidence in the Revolution and in General George Washington was revived. This Christmas victory marked an important turning point in the War for Independence. 

The courage and sacrifices of ordinary men and women have changed the course of history in so many ways. Because of these courageous early Americans, we have the freedom to worship God as we believe. And at this Christmas time, we are able to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ. May we do our part to preserve and pass on this precious legacy of liberty!




4 Comments
Karen
12/24/2019 12:42:47 pm

Thank you -- I love this story! Merry Christmas!

Reply
Patriotic Moms
12/25/2019 02:56:58 pm

Merry Christmas, Karen!

Reply
Summer Kellogg
1/11/2020 12:20:07 am

Thank you so much for this website!! It is so useful in sharing important stories with my children.

Reply
Patriotic Moms
1/11/2020 10:13:56 am

Hi Summer, our history and heritage are precious to me, but I'm afraid I've neglected this site. Your kind message inspires me to do better. Thank you!!! Love you, M

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Welcome!


    Dates 

    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013


    Find More by Date
    Click ARCHIVES here
    or on the Main Menu
    above for articles posted before May 2013.


    ​
    Find More by Search
    ​Enter topics of interest in the search box below.

    RSS Feed


Photos used under Creative Commons from uhuru1701, KimCarpenter NJ, Randy Son Of Robert, Kelly Schott, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, makelessnoise, BrianKhoury, J. Walker-Yung, Bob Jagendorf, jimbrickett, Belzie, Elvert Barnes, A. Buser, slapjack, okandasan, Elizabeth/Table4Five, cliff1066™, Dave Hosford, Sweet One, Јerry, jonfeinstein, richard winchell, bigbirdz, A. Strakey, Brian Lane Winfield Moore, Fried Dough, isafmedia, Kelly Schott, Upsilon Andromedae, Luigi Crespo Photography, Artondra Hall, Yuya Tamai, AFS-USA Intercultural Programs, jimbrickett, John-Morgan, idlebrat, slgckgc, stan.faryna, cordfish, Wendy Piersall, @cdharrison, DonkeyHotey, Belzie, Elizabeth/Table4Five, terren in Virginia, PBoGS, PBoGS, The-Lane-Team, OakleyOriginals