Trudy

How the Sand Dollar Points to Hope, Love, and Peace

“The legend of the Sand dollar
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus Christ
Found in this lowly shell.

If you will 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,
It’s 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 joyous 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 to spread His Message
Through all eternity.”

– Anonymous –

The five doves inside are something I found out about recently. Doves. Signs of hope and peace. Signs of God faithfully sending His love. Signs that He will never forget us.

I have several sand dollars, but only one has five holes or lunules. There are several species of sand dollars. Key Hole Sand Dollars have lunules. All species do have the five doves inside which were actually their teeth when they were alive. God’s unique designs of His multitudes of creatures are fascinating, aren’t they?

Sand Dollar Facts Video

8 Things You Don’t Know About Sand Dollars

I’m taking off for the remainder of this year for a needed time of reflection, rest, and renewal. May God flood our hearts with the joy and hope-filled expectation of the celebration of Christ’s birth this Advent Season.

I hope to be back the first Tuesday in January.

“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him, so that you
may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13

Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
by JDWood

“We long for Hope
When hopelessness is found
We pray for Peace
When violence abounds
We thirst for Joy
To lift our heavy hearts
We wait for love
To shine out in the dark
Then unto us a Son is given…”

25 comments

  1. Trudy, I’d never heard this take on the sand dollar before, so thank you so much for sharing the story here! Know your presence in Blogland will be missed, but I honestly understand the need for a break, especially at holiday time. I, too, will be taking time off the week of December 16-20 as we will be vacationing in the mountains. Who knows? I might just close up shop for the rest of the month, too!
    Have a blessed Advent and Christmas, my friend!

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    • You’re welcome, Martha. It’s amazing what lessons God teaches us from His creatures, isn’t it? I hope you have a wonderful time in the mountains! I always admire the photos Danny takes of nature on your getaways. And the lessons you learn, too. I hope you have a blessed Advent and Christmas, too! May we make room in our hearts for the miracle of Jesus!

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  2. Trudy, may you have a blessed and joyous Christmas and New Year’s! You will indeed be missed while you are gone, but you are wise to take a break to get refreshed and refilled. May your time with Him be rich beyond your wildest imaginings!

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  3. Dear Trudy,
    I had never heard this beautiful story about the Sand Dollar! I love the way God has woven His story throughout all of His creation. Truly, every thing points to His glorious plan and purpose for His Love and Hope to be seen. Thank you so much for sharing it here. And what a joyous song for preparing for Christmas. I too am taking a blogging break till after the first of the Year. I pray that we both would hear His voice speaking and calling us to His rest. May you be blessed with a Wondrous Christmas Time. Love and Hugs to you! xo

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    • I love, too, the way God weaves His story throughout all His creation, Bettie. Yes, may we both hear His voice speaking and calling us to His rest! Thank you for your prayers! Love and hugs to you, too! May we be filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love Jesus has so graciously brought us!

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  4. I didn’t know anything about the sand dollar. How fascinating! God’s creation is so interconnected. And even entertaining in a way! Why do we need anything else to gaze upon and spend our time learning about? Have a wonderful, joy-filled Christmas season Trudy!

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    • Yes, it truly is fascinating, Lynn. We can learn so much about God through His creation right? Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful, joy-filled Christmas season as well! May we be in awe and wonder of the miracle of Christ’s birth and how even His creatures point to Him!

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  6. Trudy, you always find the most interesting things to write about! I have heard about the legend of the sand dollar but never knew what it was … thank you for enlightening me today! I hope your time away from blogging is refreshing and that you have a truly wonderful Christmas! Love and hugs to you!

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    • Thank you, Lois. It’s amazing how God’s creation teaches the Gospel, isn’t it? I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well! If I remember right, you are going to your husband’s parents in ND? If you pass through here, you are always welcome to stop for some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate! 🙂 Love and hugs to you, too! May God fill us with the hope, love, peace, and joy of Christ’s birth!

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  7. Trudy, I have read the legend of the sand dollar before, but it’s been years. I love the symbolism the sand dollar offers and the ways we can be pointed to the Lord through it. And I always wondered what the five doves actually were! Thanks for answering that question. 🙂

    May your Christmas season hold many quiet moments drawing near to our Savior, opportunities for rest, and surprising joy. Sending you hugs, friend. I look forward to reading more of your words in January.

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  8. I’d heard about the sand dollar before but I didn’t know about the five doves inside! What a beautiful reminder of God’s love and peace! I hope you have a wonderful Advent and Christmas and know peace and joy as you celebrate!

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  9. What an intriguing and fascinating story! I’ve never seen sand dollars on our local shores. Though I haven’t been to the coast for many years now. Maybe they are rarer in the UK? Thanks for sharing this insight, Trudy. I hope and pray the remainder of Advent is full of hope and fresh glimpses of the wonder of it all. May this be a time of deeper closeness to God and others. I pray your break will be truly restorative in every way. And may God give you His holy joy and peace as you celebrate Christ’s coming to earth with your family, loved ones and friends. Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo

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    • Thank you for your kind prayers and caring concern, Joy. I truly need God’s restoring love in body and spirit. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! Please try not to be too hard on yourself and overdo it this month. May we pause and wonder the love, hope, peace, and joy God so freely brings us!

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  10. I had never heard this story of the sand dollar. I actually have a container with lots of sand dollars that my kids picked up years ago when we visited a beach. I’ll have to go take another look! Thank you for sharing this. Much love and blessings!

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    • It’s amazing what God teaches us through His creation, isn’t it? Much love and blessings to you as well, Gayl! I’m so sorry you will be experiencing Christmas without your dear son, but I pray God will fill you with His love and peace in the midst of this storm of grief!

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