Good read from Idaho Senator Christi Zeto
And Merry Christmas to all!
In the summer and fall of 1776, General George Washington's Continental Army suffered many battlefield losses. Hope and morale among the soldiers were wavering, faith in General Washington was dwindling, and the scantly clothed and starving men were ready to go home.
The bloody footprints in the snow from bare and freezing feet told the story. There had been no funds from Congress to fit, feed, and pay the ragged army.
General Washington had to take decisive action if he was going to change the tide of the war.
It was the night of December 25th, Christmas evening of 1776. The night was cold; the snow, sleet, and strong winds made the conditions beyond harsh.
General Washington, meeting with his aids, faced what was undoubtedly the most challenging decision of the war. Every circumstance that evening would make his plan nearly impossible to complete. The General knew they would have to rely on the faith of his men and the prayers of the patriots who knew what was at stake: the freedom of a nation.
General Washington's Continental Army mounted an all-out attack. They crossed the Delaware River, mostly ice; the wind was against them, and they were starving and had little strength. Some deemed the crossing impossible.
This rag-tag army of brave souls took boats from McKonkey's Ferry in Pennsylvania across the Deleware River to New Jersey in the dead of that moonless, brutal night.
The Continental Army surprised the drunken Hessian soldiers who had been celebrating Christmas. Washington's army successfully captured nearly 1,000 Hessian soldiers as a result.
This was a tipping point in the war. The men's morale was boosted, and when news of the victory spread across the colonies, men re-enlisted into the all-volunteer army. For the first time in many months, there was hope, the hope of victory.
This moment in history is the best example of American Patriotism at its finest, fighting for the land of the free with God.
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior and look back to Christmas 1776, remembering the sacrifices of our Founding Fathers, the brave Soldiers, and Americans who stood up to tyranny, we must remain steadfast and not allow our history to be rewritten. We must not allow God to be removed from our history.
I believe God's hand was present in 1776, as it is today. During my first term in the Idaho House, I was given a copy of The American Patriot's Bible. I marvel at the stories and the founders' faith and pray that I may continue to walk in Faith as they did.
Our relationship with God and faith in Him is most important; faith in the arm of flesh is not. This glorious season is a strong reminder of the love He has for us; the sacrifice of the Son is proof of that unconditional love.
Enjoy the celebration and remembrance of the season this Christmas, and I hope you take a moment to reflect on December 25th, 1776.
What does that mean for you? What does that mean for our future?
We ride at dawn!!!
Merry Christmas,
Senator Christy Zito
LD8
