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The Sand Dollar Legend

A sand dollar is actually a part of the sea urchin and star fish family and can be found along many beaches. We have found several on the Florida Gulf Coast beaches.  When alive they look like tan or grey discs and should be returned to the water.  If they have turned a bright white, then you have found a treasure to keep!


story of the sand dollar

Photo by Brandon Imbriale @ Pexels

One of my favorite activities as a child was finding sea shells at the beach. Although, I didn't live near a beach, my oldest sister did. Those are some wonderful memories as we searched for these treasures in the sand.

Even now one of our family's favorite vacation spots is a beach on the Gulf Coast. At least once on each vacation all six of us go on a walk to look for sea shells. Oh, the treasures we find, and the fun we have together as a family!

The greatest treasure though was, and still is, to find a sand dollar! This is still the "ultimate find!"

God has placed His signature on creation, and this special beach treasure has all the markings to tell the story of Jesus, the Gospel! Each includes a Christmas poinsettia on one side, a star in the center of an Easter lily on the other, five pierced holes, and when opened, tiny pieces which resemble small doves.


The Legend of the Sand Dollar


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 wisemen
And led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia
Etched on the other side
Reminds us of His birthday
Our Happy Christmastide.

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.


Anonymous


sand dollar story legend

Scriptures for the Story of the Sand Dollar

If you are able, have more than one sand dollar or sand dollar photo to show.  In this way they are able to see it is not just a one time random occurrence.  

The pieces to point out include:

  1. Poinsettia found on the back
  2. Star found in the center of the Lily on the front
  3. Easter Lily found on the front of each
  4. Five holes
  5. Doves - these are found inside after a sand dollar has been broken

Read the following Bible verses either in the order of the poem or in order of the Bible story as shown below.


sand dollar star
  • Poinsettia on the back - Christmas flower - Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:23: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

  • Star  

Matthew 2:2: and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Matthew 2:10: "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

  • Doves - representing the Holy Spirit at Jesus' baptism and also the peace God gives us

Matthew 3:16: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him."

Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

  • 5 Holes - Jesus' feet, hands & side pierced

Have children count the five holes in the sand dollar & read the following verses.  After reading have them point to each place Jesus was pierced counting to five - each hand, each foot, and side.

Luke 24:39 - 

"See my pierced hands and feet. See for yourselves, it is I, standing here alive. Touch me and know that my wounds are real. A spirit does not have a body of flesh and bone as you see that I have.”

John 19:34 -

"Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water."

  • Easter Lily - Show children the front side of the sand dollar with the Easter lily.  Traditionally the Easter lily is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection and hope.

Luke 24:1-6a - 

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!"


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