The Legend of the Sand Dollar

~~ Proverbs 10:2 ~~ Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

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The province of Newfoundland is an island in the great Atlantic ocean, located at the very east end of Canada.  It is overwhelmingly rich in history, culture, and beauty that is second to none in the whole world.  I was born and raised in this wonderful place commonly known as ‘The Rock’, where people are so friendly they would give you the shirt from their back if it would help you in the least little bit.  Our ancestry makes us a unique gene pool in this world that scientists are eager to study.  We will invite you, as a complete stranger; into our homes, give you supper and a place to sleep in a heartbeat if you need it.  The next day you will likely experience a party like none other you have ever been to with laughter and music as unique as the people.  You will get to eat a ‘Jiggs Dinner’; and finish it off with some scrumptious treats that probably involve tea, fruit cake, seafood, tea buns and a very special potion called ‘Newfie Screech’.

As children growing up, playing on the beach next to the ocean was a common practice for us.  As carefree kids there was only one rule back then... “Don’t tell Mom we were playing on top of the big rocks near the water!”  Like young people anywhere, we would often collect all sorts of riches found on the shore.  There were snail shells, pieces of drift wood in the most amazing shapes, rocks of incredibly unique shapes and colors, many variations of sea shells, dried star fish, bits and pieces of gadgets from old fishing boats, and the list goes on.

One of the things that we often collected was a shell called a ‘Sand Dollar’.  We liked them because they were sometimes rather large in size and held a shape resembling a disk.  Its size was rivalled only by that of a scallop shell.  The uses for such a treasure in a child’s world were endless!  After we took some home, one of the smaller sized shells might be attached to a string and become a necklace; another might become a place to hold trinkets, and yet another might be painted to become an ornament for a Christmas tree.  Once there was one that became an ashtray for my Dad... except Dad never did smoke cigarettes, but he loved it anyway!  Sand Dollars, we also thought were pretty, because of the unique star shape in its center.  Little did we know, at that time, the treasures hidden within the symbols that this little shell held for us.

There is an old poem that tells a little story about this appealing little sea shell.  There are several versions of this poem.  The original wording and the true author are unknown.  I hope you like it.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

~Author Unknown ~

There's a pretty little legend

That I would like to tell

Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely,

You'll see that you find here

Four nail holes and a fifth one

Made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter lily,

Its center is the star

That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia,

Etched on the other side

Reminds us of His birthday,

Our happy Christmas tide.

Now break the center open,

And here you will release

The five white doves awaiting

To spread good will and peace.

This simple little symbol,

Christ left for you and me

To help us spread His Gospel

Through all eternity.

Next time you are walking along a beach collecting treasures, and you find a sand dollar; take one home and place it where you will see it as a reminder of this wonderful story.  Tell your kids about the Legend of the Sand Dollar and why it is one of the greatest treasures you will ever find on the beach.

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~~ Dear God ~~  Thank You for the symbols that you give us as reminders of the great sacrifice that You gave us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Please let me see this treasure in everything I find as I walk along life’s seashore.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

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Click this link to read the other known versions of ‘The Legend of the Sand Dollar’

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