By Sen. Doug Mastriano
In the summer of 1776, New York buzzed with tension as Commander-in-Chief George Washington readied his troops for an imminent British attack.
The storm broke on Aug. 27 with British General William Howe’s forces clashing against Washington’s Continental Army. The battlefield echoed with the cries of soldiers, and the ground was stained with the blood of fallen heroes. Despite their courage, the Continental Army faced a crushing defeat, leaving them crippled and dispirited.
Amidst the despair, a sliver of hope emerged.
On the night of Aug. 29, under the cloak of darkness and a heavy mist, Washington led his men in a daring escape from Brooklyn Heights. It was nothing short of a miracle: no life was lost. The Continental Army had slipped through the grasp of their foes.
Relentlessly pursued by the British, Washington’s army retreated across New Jersey, finally finding a precarious refuge in Pennsylvania as winter tightened its grip. The situation seemed bleak. Supplies dwindled, morale was at its nadir, and the shadow of defeat loomed. But Washington, a beacon of resilience, devised a bold plan.
On Christmas Day in 1776, as the world celebrated peace and joy, Washington prepared his weary troops for a perilous journey. The plan: to cross the ice-choked Delaware River and launch a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey. The night was bitterly cold, the river treacherous, but hope flickered in the soldiers’ hearts as they pressed on, determined to alter the course of history.
Against the odds, the impossible became reality. The Hessian garrison, numbering 1,500, was taken by complete surprise. The victory was swift and decisive, rekindling the flame of hope within the Continental Army and turning the tide of the Revolutionary War. The triumph in Trenton overshadowed the defeat in New York, restoring the soldiers’ spirit and faith in their cause.
Fast forward to Belgium in 1944.
The Allied forces were making strides in liberating Europe, but Hitler, in a desperate gamble, launched a surprise attack through the dense Ardennes Forest. The assault, known as the Battle of the Bulge, caught the American forces off guard. Nazi tanks and infantry punched deep into their lines, threatening to capture Bastogne, a critical crossroads town.
Surrounded and outnumbered, the American troops in Bastogne faced relentless German assaults and harsh winter conditions. Supplies of ammunition, food and medicine dwindled, and the soldiers’ morale plummeted. The skies remained overcast, preventing much-needed air support. All hope seemed lost.
In this dire hour, General George Patton turned to God. He had his chaplain compose a prayer for divine intervention, a prayer that echoed through the ranks of his Third Army:
“Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.”
Miraculously, the weather cleared. The skies brightened, and with it, the path to victory. Patton’s forces surged forward, breaking through German lines and relieving the beleaguered defenders of Bastogne. Once again, the impossible had become possible, reminiscent of Washington’s triumph in 1776.
Today, we face battles of a different kind: economic struggles, geopolitical tensions, a decidedly hostile media and societal pressures weighing heavily on our hearts. Thomas Paine’s words from centuries past, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” resonate anew. Yet, even in the face of such challenges, hope endures.
The story of Christmas, celebrated for over two millennia, reminds us of an eternal promise. In the ancient city of Bethlehem, shepherds watching their flocks by night were visited by an angel bearing joyful news: the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord. The angel’s proclamation echoed with a promise of peace and goodwill:
“Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
This message of hope, first heard by humble shepherds, transcends time and place. It speaks to us today, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the light of hope and salvation shines brightly.
As we celebrate this Christmas season, may we embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, confident that just as miracles happened in the past, they can happen again. The best is yet to come.
Sen. Doug Mastriano represents the 33rd Senatorial District covering Adams and Franklin counties. He is a combat veteran who served in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and was deployed three times to Afghanistan. For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Mastriano’s website at www.senatormastriano.com or follow him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano.
Contact: Don Beishl 717-787-4651