Winston Churchill’s Christmas Eve Message To America (1941)
“This is a strange Christmas Eve. Almost the whole world is locked in deadly struggle…. [B]efore we turn again to the stern task and the formidable year that lie before us, resolved that, by our sacrifice and daring, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world.”
December 24, 1941
Washington, D.C.
Fellow workers, in the course of freedom, I have the honour to add a pendant to the necklace of that Christmas goodwill and kindliness which my illustrious friend the President has encircled the homes and families of the United States by his message of Christmas eve which he just delivered.
I spend this anniversary and festival far from my country, far from my family, and yet I cannot truthfully say that I feel far from home. Whether it be by the ties of blood on my mother’s side, or the friendships I have developed here over many years of active life, or the commanding sentiment of comradeship in the common cause of great peoples who speak the same language, who kneel at the same altars and, to a very large extent, pursue the same ideals, whichever it may be, or all of them together, I cannot feel myself a stranger here in the centre and at the summit of the United States. I feel a sense of unity and fraternal association which, added to the kindliness of your welcome, convinces me that I have a right to sit at your fireside and share your Christmas joys.
Fellow workers, fellow soldiers in the cause, this is a strange Christmas Eve. Almost the whole world is locked in deadly struggle. Armed with the most terrible weapons which science can devise, the nations advance upon each other.
Ill would it be for us this Christmastide if we were not sure that no greed for the lands or wealth of any other people, no vulgar ambition, no morbid lust for material gain at the expense of others, had led us to the field. Ill would it be for us if that were so. Here in the midst of war, raging and roaring over all the lands and seas, creeping nearer to our hearts and homes. Here amid all these tumults, we have tonight the peace of the spirit in each cottage home and in every generous heart.
Therefore we may cast aside, for this night at least, the cares and dangers which beset us, and make for the children an evening of happiness in a world of storm.
Here, then, for one night only, each home throughout the English-speaking world should be a brightly-lighted island of happiness and peace. Let the children have their night of fun and laughter. Let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play. Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures before we turn again to the stern task and the formidable year that lie before us, resolved that, by our sacrifice and daring, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world.
And so, in God’s mercy, a happy Christmas to you all.
May you all have a very happy Holiday Season and here’s to a bright New Year.
Text and image via Army War College.
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Comments
And so many years of war were before us at that time
I am sure Winston is turning in his grave, GB is lost, Canada close behind
America , we are so far down that rabbit hole that givesendgo , supposedly a Christian business, is allowing a fundraiser for a rich , Ivy League educated monster that murdered a man in the cowardly fashion, in the back.
This coward is receiving love letters in prison and has support for what he did by millions of idiot , clueless Americans across this nation
Scary times indeed
We have lost our culture, religion and faith
Be thankful that givesendgo doesn’t act as gatekeeper for who is worthy of assistance, like some other platforms that shall remain nameless.
“We believe every person is entitled to due process in a court of law — not in the court of public opinion,” Alex Shipley, GiveSendGo’s communications director, said in a statement.
Winston Churchill was an impressive person, in a multitude of ways. What may be most important to us today was his insights into Islam. Those who have not read his work, do so, and take it seriously..
There are large numbers of both our and Israel’s soldiers and their families are not having a merry Christmas.
I hope that within the next year or two that terrorists have been mostly eradicated.
Sir Winston, one of the true saviors of the western world.
We don’t have men like Winston, or men who fought on WW2 anymore
You know GB was destined for the heap when they didn’t re elect Winston right after the War
They did rectify that, but the seeds were sown
Different with the Donald.. his election was stolen, and now he is back
Time will tell if it’s too late, so much to be undone
So much dear Lord…
Hear our prayers
Offspring from illegals will be more that a million in a year. Expulsion numbers will have to be much higher than a million a year.
I just finished reading “The Splendid and the Vile” by Erik Larson, about Churchills first year as PM (May 1940-May 1941). What an incredible insight into one of the 20th Century’s most prominent figure. He truly understood that the freedom of western civilization was at stake.
My, how we have slipped away in such a short period of time…..
Great book.
Yes, a great read, even if you have read multiple Churchill biographies.
The Bride is an enthusiastic student of World War 2 history, especially the ETO, most especially Britain. She has several new books to read but this is on my “to get her” list for later on in January. Thanks for the heads up.
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A very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone at LI.
Churchill was most certainly the most consequential man of the 20th century.
Who do you suppose will be that in the current century?
So far, Trump. It’s hard to imagine anyone more consequential than him but we’ll see what the century brings.
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“Consequential” does not have to mean positive. As of now I would say Obama. On the other side, my favorite is Elon Musk, who, with his purchase of Twitter, breaking the MSM/Tech/Democrat monopoly of the press, and endorsement, campaigning and money, may have given Trump his chance to be a transformative President and change the downward path of America. Musk saw the danger and 100% stepped up to the plate. Trump has his opportunity now.