The use of a Revolutionary War scene for a Christmas stamp was a poignant choice during the Bicentennial era. It drew a parallel between the hardships of the Revolution and the Christian story of hope in the midst of adversity. The image, while similar in theme to the 1928 stamp, has a different artistic style, characteristic of Leyendecker's work. The stamp was immensely popular and reinforced the image of Washington as a man of faith and a symbol of the nation's enduring spirit.