Loren Lippincott
For nearly 250 years God’s hand has providentially cradled our nation during times of conflict. Two of those divine interventions happened at Christmastime in the 18th and 20th Centuries.
In 1776 Gen. George Washington in a desperate move decided to cross the icy Delaware River on Christmas night to attack the British Garrison at Trenton in the pre-dawn hours of Dec. 26. As the American troops began the treacherous crossing, a violent snow and winter hailstorm suddenly erupted, which made their trek even more difficult. Although un-realized by them at the time, this hardship worked in their favor by reducing the visibility to near zero, thus causing the Hessian sentries to leave their posts and seek cover. This allowed the Americans to completely surprise the enemy and enter Trenton with no resistance.
After only 45 minutes of fighting, 20 Hessian mercenaries were killed, 100 wounded and 1,000 captured. On the American side, only three were wounded in the battle. One of those wounded was a young officer named James Monroe. As Monroe’s men were silently approaching the battle site in the darkness of those pre-dawn hours, Dr. John Riker was awakened by dogs barking at the patriot troops passing his home. Rushing out into the darkness, Riker angrily confronted Monroe, asking what they were doing.
Upon learning they were Americans, Riker’s anger dissipated, and he said, “I know something is to be done, and I’m going with you! I’m a doctor and I may help some poor fellow.”
During the ensuing battle, Monroe took a shot to the chest, severing an artery. He later testified, “I would have bled to death if this doctor had not been near.” The impromptu decision by Riker to accompany the troops providentially saved the life of this “poor fellow”; who would become the fifth president of the United States.
That victory raised American spirits and encouraged men to enlist or reenlist in the army. Through dramatic weather and providential timing God was helping secure American liberty.
Just as with the previous story, December of 1944 was a pivotal time during WWII. D-Day was over and the Allied forces were moving forward rapidly, pushing the Nazis out of western Europe and back into Germany. But in mid-December the Germans began an unexpected assault against the Americans, resulting in the six-week long Battle of the Bulge high in the mountains. Extended days of fog, snow and torrential rain had grounded American airplanes and hindered the movement of American troops.
The forces of Gen. George Patton were taking the brunt of the attack and on Dec. 8 Patton contacted his top chaplain, Gen. James O’Neill, and asked for a prayer to change the weather. Patton explained: “God has His part or margin in everything; that’s where prayer comes in... We’ve got to get not only the chaplains, but every man in the Third Army to pray. We must ask God to stop these rains.”
O’Neill responded to Patton’s request by writing out a short prayer that was printed and given to each of the 250,000 American soldiers. Each man prayed: “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.”
The reverse of the card carried this Christmas greeting from Patton: “To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God’s blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day.”
The cards were distributed to the troops Dec. 12-14 and on the 20th the weather cleared, allowing the planes to return to the air, leading to an eventual hard-fought victory for the Allies.
As we celebrate Christmas with our families, let us be reminded that God responds when His people lift up their voices in prayer.
Loren Lippincott represents Legislative District 34 in the Nebraska State Senate. Read his column in the Nance County Journal.