This Christmas, Let Us Pray

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Posted on 12/25/2024 4:49:56 AM PST by MtnClimber

Remember Washington’s prayer at Valley Forge.

It is arguably the most iconic image from the American Revolution. You can find drawings, paintings, and sculptures commemorating its significance in town halls, courthouses, libraries, churches, and veterans’ associations throughout the country. Variations were once commonly displayed in homes, schools, and businesses.

Is it Paul Revere’s historic engraving of the Boston Massacre? Or Emanuel Leutze’s famous Washington Crossing the Delaware? Or perhaps John Trumbull’s The Declaration of Independence? Those are all good answers, but the image of which I write is of George Washington kneeling in silent prayer near the Continental Army’s winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in December 1777.

You can conjure that picture in your mind almost immediately — the tall, striking figure of General George Washington with knee and sword touching the snowy ground, his military coat draped around his shoulders, his cocked hat removed and at his side, his bare fingers firmly interlaced, and his head bowed in solemn contemplation. To his right stands Blueskin, Washington’s strong and noble war horse whose fearlessness during battle was well known. Blueskin’s whitish-gray coat blends with Washington’s whitish-grey wig, while the war horse’s visibly cold breath blends with the frigid Pennsylvania snow. A ray of morning light crosses before the general and his loyal companion, as both man and horse appear intimately aware of God’s presence.

When you think of that image, you can feel the chill. You can hear the crunching of frozen snow beneath their feet. You can briefly experience the weight of responsibility one man bore to shape his nation’s destiny. You can almost walk into that moment during the winter of 1777, when so few sacrificed so much for all of us alive today.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...

1 posted on 12/25/2024 4:49:56 AM PST by MtnClimber

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2 posted on 12/25/2024 4:50:07 AM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)

To: MtnClimber

3 posted on 12/25/2024 4:55:21 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)

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4 posted on 12/25/2024 5:14:09 AM PST by xp38

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5 posted on 12/25/2024 5:43:43 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)

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