Seasonal Symbols

Sprinkled throughout the blog posts for the month of December will be my thoughts on various signs of the season. I believe these seasonal symbols can be a reminder of God’s connection to us, if we just take the time to look, listen and soak in God’s love for us!

Even life at the Beach brings forward symbols that we see year-round, but may not often think about.

Today I would like to share with you “The Legend of the Sand Dollar.” Although I have seen this in various forms through the years, I have gotten this from: http://www.legendofthesanddollar.com/. Apparently, the poem originally appeared in the Seattle Post-intelligencer on April 6, 1966, author unknown.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

There’s a lovely 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 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.

You may see this poem more often around Easter, as it speaks of new life, resurrection and the hope of Easter. However, it all began at Christmas with the birth of God on earth as a little child. I think it is very appropriate this season to think about not only the beginnings of Christ’s life on earth, but the ending - which was really a new beginning for all mankind!

The fact that we’re at the end of another year, with the hope of wiping the slate clean to have a fresh start on New Year’s Day, hasn’t escaped me. I always love fresh starts! In fact, I look at every day as a new beginning, a chance to live a perfect day. And I haven’t given up on that yet! You might have guessed that I love challenges! ;-)

Some people use sand dollars as Christmas tree ornaments. If you have a sand dollar, take another look at it. Think about all the parts and the beauty of each symbol and how it applies to your life right this moment. What part means the most to you? The star, the nail holes, the doves?

All of these parts are housed in a seemingly insignificant little shell creature moving with the currents at the bottom of the ocean. It has little brown spiky hairs all over its body when alive to help it move about. But one day it was washed ashore and discovered by someone. It gave its life up. It was dumped in a bucket of bleach to disinfect it and kill all the living parts of it so it could look beautiful and sit on your shelf or hang on your tree.

If this once living creature has been brought into your hands, take the time to stop and thank God for all he has done – and for all that this work from his heart to yours symbolizes today.

It’s never too late or too soon for a fresh start.