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!

​Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this beloved song on Christmas morning in 1863.

Life had been very painful for him. The Civil War was long and distressing and most people had a hard time just getting by.  But Henry had an extra heavy burden because he had lost his wife in a fire, and he was caring for his son who had been wounded in battle. 

Christmas was a bitter reminder of all Henry had lost.  And yet, as he sat quietly reflecting, he heard the church bells ringing a message of hope.  Although Henry had reason to be sad, even bitter, he penned the words to a beautiful Christmas message of faith, hope, peace, and good will. 

I love this song.  Not one of the better known Christmas carols, this is my Mom's favorite.  All of us, my Mom, Dad, six brothers and I, memorized all five verses.  Each year we had a Christmas caroling party with family, friends, fun treats, and favorite songs.  "I Heard the Bells" was always part of our celebration.  Its message may be more relevant now than ever.  Hope you enjoy!
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I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Pearl Harbor Day is the day we pause to remember the December 7, 1941 attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor that killed 2,402 Americans, and precipitated U.S. involvement in World War II.

It's a good time to visit with our children about the courageous sacrifices many have made for freedom. The stories of the heroes who make these sacrifices are often lost, but those that are recorded can be remembered and recounted, and inspire us and our families to do what we can to preserve the blessings of liberty in America in our day. Few Americans actually fight in wars, but we all can, and should, do our part to preserve the great legacy of liberty we have received.


The Attack on Pearl Harbor
(This content is courtesy of The American Patriot's Almanac)

Sunday, December 7, 1941, began as a serene morning at the U.S. Navy base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The warships of America’s Pacific Fleet rested at anchor. Many sailors were preparing for church or relaxing, and all was quiet at Pearl Harbor.

At about 7:55 a.m. a buzz from the sky broke the calm as a dive-bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan dropped out of the clouds. Seconds later, a swarm of Japanese warplanes followed. Sirens wailed as explosions sounded across the harbor and black smoke poured into the sky.

American sailors scrambled to battle stations while the Japanese planes screamed in for the kill. The main targets were several huge battleships moored in the harbor. Antiaircraft guns roared to life, but they did little good. Bombs and torpedoes hit ship after ship: the Arizona, the Oklahoma, the California, the West Virginia, the Utah, the Maryland, the Pennsylvania, the Tennessee, the Nevada.

Sailors fought to save their ships, their comrades, and their own lives. Much of the California’s crew abandoned ship after flames engulfed its stern. When the captain determined the battleship might be saved, Yeoman Durrell Conner hoisted the American flag from the stern. At the sight of the colors, the sailors returned to fight the fires and keep her afloat.

Despite such heroism, the attack reduced much of the fleet to smoldering wreckage. The Japanese planes disappeared into the sky, leaving 2,400 dead, 1,200 wounded, and 18 ships and more than 300 American planes destroyed or damaged.

News of the disaster left Americans stunned, but not for long. A remark attributed to Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack, sums up the result of Pearl Harbor: “I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and instilled in him a terrible resolve.”

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​President Roosevelt's Speech After the Pearl Harbor Attack: 
"A Day of Infamy"

Click here for the Text of President Roosevelt's Speech.
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The Attack on Pearl Harbor

1941 footage documents the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Memories of Those Who Survived the Pearl Harbor Attack

On the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, veterans who survived the raid recall the day.

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