The Legend of the Sand Dollar

My mother-in-law just returned from a trip to Florida and she brought back some sand dollars for all of the grandchildren. She is a deeply religious person and was thrilled to present this to the kids. With the sand dollars came a little legend which is very interesting. Here is the legend:

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.

The sand dollar is an amazing little sea creature. I never knew that they had so many intricate details and whether you are religious or not, the legend really makes you think. When they are alive, they are velvety in texture and after they die, their body hardens and is bleached white by the sun. They like to burrow in the sand and feed on the tiny organic particles they filter from the water. They do not have arms or legs but move along by using many spines on the bottom of their shell. Below is a video of a live sand dollar.