Early American history has been dimmed—transformed by urban sprawl, the passing of time, and revisionists. One can only imagine; dream of a moment in time when small towns and villages across the American landscape were dotted with hand-hewn log structures and houses of block and fired brick. Buried is the centerpiece of our unique American cultural heritage. It begins to surface where, only two and a half centuries ago, settlers cut their way through heavily timbered forests, cane and grape vines. Presently, narrow roads and trails have been replaced with Interstates, malls and shopping centers. Beneath the mask of well-being and economic prosperity is our need to find the story and tell it at full volume! For remembrance is the story of George Washington’s Crossing the Delaware River and the most American melody ever written, “Yankee Doodle.”

In the fall of 1776, six months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America’s colonies were on the verge of military defeat. General George Washington and the Continental army had lost every battle at the hands of the British in the New York campaign. At Fort Lee, the army had barely escaped and was forced to leave behind its store of provisions and ammunition as well as many of its weapons. A sense of defeat had settled around Washington as he was forced to retreat across New Jersey in November and finally to Pennsylvania on Dec. 8, 1776.

Even before the Revolutionary War during the French and Indian War, American colonists in their furs and buckskins had been a target for ridicule and mockery. Emerging before the war, the British sung despairingly an old English folk song, lyrics that mocked the colonists making fun of their appearance. Tradition has it that the song, “Yankee Doodle,” one of America’s oldest and most enduring marching airs was, written in part by a British doctor, Richard Schackburg, to make fun of the ragtag militiamen. “Doodle” referred to a trifling fellow, simpleton or fool. On the other hand, “Dandy” described a gentleman with fine manners, dress and hairstyle.

So, for the most part, by December the British had considered that the war was over. By Dec. 11, the only reason that the British had not taken Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress, was that Washington had ordered every boat on the Delaware River on the New Jersey side to be brought to the Pennsylvania side, thus denying the British army transportation. Washington knew that once the river iced over, the British would be capable of resuming an offensive by crossing the Delaware.

In keeping with their “Yankee Doodle” reputation, these tattered soldiers were beyond weary—without tents or proper clothing, and suffering from starvation. Their numbers had diminished due to desertions and expiring enlistments. Washington had expected much from his troops using his authority by demonstrating his own personal strength. He demanded that his soldiers be disciplined examples of the American cause, yet he was not so strict to expect virtue alone. Although he was patient, Washington had to be a realistic leader. Overwhelmed with these obstacles, the prospect of defeating the most accomplished army in the world was doubtful.

Even though he had refused a salary for himself and had spent his own money buying necessary items for the war, Washington’s poor military record had sparked open debate about his leadership. There was even talk among members of the Continental Congress about replacing him.

Washington and his morale-beaten troops slogged through the dead of winter and encamped nine miles away at McConkey’s Ferry. Many had silently cursed the seemingly endless cold and sunless days. Most had considered that “freedom” from England was simply an unattainable dream, yet this night the worn-down soldiers slept peacefully in silence.

For Washington, sleep simply would not come. Snowflakes swirled beneath a cathedral of pines which crackled under the weight of clinging ice. He crouched in contemplation gazing into fire while the sputtering flames hissed as smoke curled atop the ghostly ice sculpted branches. As Washington huddled by the campfire, he began to consider he would not take part in holiday celebrations this year. There would be no tolling church bells, gaily wrapped presents, arched hallways decked with holly and pine, or piping-hot, delectable platters as folk sang and round-danced.

Washington had been driven by thoughts of liberty. Now he felt trampled by thoughts of betrayal and loss. His vision of freedom was now blurred and frozen in a snowy haze. Calming his inner furies had been an arduous task for Washington. In his younger days, circumstances like these would have driven him to angry outbursts. The valuable lessons learned growing up in the wild American wilderness had been an intervening, sustaining force in his life. Through the years, although his faith had been a private source of strength, it had given him direction. Without a sound as he knelt by the fireside, he began to earnestly pray for a new strategy.

Cascading snowflakes fluttered down so perfectly, framing his universe in surreal tranquility. For a moment, the fire beckoned him to dream and wander down a path to his childhood. Having lost his father at age 11, there were many nights of terror in the backwoods. During countless winter nights, he felt completely safe cradled in his mother’s arms while she tenderly stroked his forehead by a warm fireside. His mother had been his spiritual role model and mentor. Washington recalled the many times that he would find her praying while perched on her favorite rock above the river below. Her profound influence had taught him that answers come only when there is communion with God.

In the distance like this determined soldier, an old church bell, still and full, pealed. It filled the cold air with its lamenting sound. As Washington listened by the sputtering, smoking fire, revelation came hollowing through the woods and into his consciousness,

“I will gather my generals together with this plan for victory!”

Energized by this inspiration, Washington returned to his tent and by candlelight penned this note to Colonel Reed written Dec. 23, 1776:

The bearer (of the letter) is sent . . . to inform you that Christmas day at night, one hour before day is the time fixed upon our attempt in Trenton. For heaven’s sake keep this to yourself, as the discovery of it may prove fatal to us, our numbers, sorry to say, being less than I had any conception of: but necessity, dire necessity, will nay must justify, an attempt.

Washington’s plan was to take the offensive and cross the Delaware River on Christmas night and attack the Hessians garrisoned at Trenton, New Jersey. Against all odds, Washington and his men successfully completed the crossing and marched on the morning of Dec. 26, 1776. Washington and his army achieved a resounding victory over the Hessians, capturing over 900 of them. By moving ahead with his bold and daring plan, General George Washington reignited the cause of freedom and gave new life to the American Revolution.

What are you battling? Has the emotional debris of 2014 left you struggling with feelings of doubt and uncertainty about the future? Are you shrouded by guilt, disappointments and discouraged by past failures? Like Washington, are you afraid of what the future holds? No mortal really knows what the future holds, but we can trust in the God who does know. Sometimes I wonder why the future is not revealed to humans. Perhaps it is because we must learn to trust our future to God, who will work everything out for our ultimate good. If we face our future with courage, we will discover a reliable relationship the One who does knows the future.

Consider this: “Our personal battles are not external, but internal.” There is a spiritual battle occurring in our minds to defeat us, and fear is a direct result of those attitudes. It is a weapon used to prevent our progress. Overcoming our daunting fears with total faith in God will change our perceptions. Having confidence in God in the midst of turmoil can give you peace, courage, and motivation regardless of circumstances. Independent from God, our rationalizations, such as “we can do it ourselves,” are simply lies that barricade our minds.

In 2015, we must allow God to lift the wall of self-sufficiency and self-determination. Like Washington, however terrifying, we will experience a new freedom as we begin to trust God’s plan for our lives. Thus, we will begin to defeat the battle that rages for our mind, and as with Washington and his troops, victory will be ours!

Amid the belittling as Americans developed culturally and socially, the song “Yankee Doodle” was adopted as their own. Turning the meaning from pitiful to powerful, this prolific song would eventually become a symbol of American patriotism and pride lasting for more than 200 years. It has survived from the mid 1700s up until now and continues to be played by drum and fife corps across the country. The parody proclaiming the colonists as country bumpkins has ironically emerged into an American classic and a symbol of nationalism. With its humble origin, and perhaps questionable in matters of lyrical “taste,” “Yankee Doodle” continues as one of America’s most upbeat and humorous national songs. In the fife and drum state of Connecticut, it is the official state song. In 1904, George M. Cohan revived the tune in his “Yankee Doodle Boy.” (Also known as “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy”) It should surprise no one that John Philip Sousa was immensely fond of this work. He employed it in many of his arrangements and patriotic fantasies. He even used it as a countermelody in his march “America First.”

Could, at the end of 2014, life’s circumstances have brought you to the “river of an impossible impasse,” like Washington—loss of job, strained relationships, unresolved answers, bound by disappointments and broken dreams? Perhaps with the approaching new year, you have found yourself frozen in an icy emotional stronghold, exhausted, frazzled, overwhelmed, confused and burned out. Depressed, discouraged and defeated, you may be enslaved by worry and anxiety, with seemingly no direction. You need more than superficial remedies. Go to that secret place in the warmth and safety of a communion with the Most High. As He has done for countless others in ages past, He will give you the courage to continue and persevere even in the midst of your difficulties. Perhaps in 2015, you will discover that hope and revelation will come in a personal relationship with God Himself.

“For surely I know the plans for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

New Year’s blessings to all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzRhFH5OyHo