And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. (John 21:6)

My husband and I were in a mineral shop earlier this year where we saw several tiny, fossilized fish. 

Most of the fish were about an inch long, each preserved on a sandy piece of rock. Only the bony outlines were left, but the little fish were fascinating and not very expensive. I commented that I’d like to have one for Christmas…and then promptly forgot about it.

On Christmas Day, just as we had finished unwrapping all the family gifts, my husband told me to close my eyes while he brought in my last present. 

When I opened my eyes, I was shocked to see a fossilized fish in his arms…not a tiny one, but a BIG fish. This “little” guy is about 20” long and rests in a really heavy slab of rock. I told my husband it’s larger than any living fish I’ve ever caught! 

It seems he found the fish online from a nearby mineral shop, but he didn’t check the dimensions when he ordered it. It was only when he went to pick it up that he discovered its massive size, too late to exchange it for something smaller. But I was impressed by his sweetness in remembering my wish with such a colossal find. 

This big fish is from an area in southwest Wyoming known as the Green River Formation. The fossil region extends nearly a thousand square miles and has approximately 500 square miles of sediments that are “quarried” for preserved fish and other specimens. More than a million fossil fish have been brought out of the ancient riverbed area since its discovery in the 1870s.

And now, our fish is a neat reminder to us about Jesus. 

Fish show up frequently in the Gospel stories, first as our Lord called several fishermen to be His disciples. Jesus fed thousands of people with just a few small fish. Peter experienced the power of Christ over Creation when he caught miraculously huge boatloads of fish at Jesus’ command. And there’s that amazing story at Capernaum when Jesus sent Peter to the water’s edge to catch a fish containing a coin in its mouth, to be used for paying the temple tax (see Matthew 17:24-27).

Perhaps these associations with fish—along with an acrostic of Jesus’ name—made the fish a popular symbol in the early Christian church. The Greek words Iησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ are translated as “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior” and captured in a simple line drawing called an ichthys. Today, we see this symbol on cars, jewelry, computers, and other places to signify the owners are believers.*

I like thinking that our big fish is a special gift from my husband and from God. From getting squished into the bottom of a lake thousands of years ago in Wyoming, discovered by a fossil-seeker in recent times, purchased by my beloved husband, and transported to east Tennessee, this fish has found a new home with us. Like the cross, it will serve to remind us of Christ’s presence, His salvation, and His resurrection from the grave.

My wish, too, is that it will prompt me to be bolder in my witness to others—to be Christ’s “fisher” for those He desires to bring into His kingdom. May you find an ichthys of your own this year, a silent symbol to serve Jesus in 2026!

Gracious Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your willingness to bring me—a spiritually-impoverished sinner—into Your fold as one of Your beloved children. Thank You for preserving my soul to live eternally with You in heaven someday. Until then, make me a faithful witness to Your power, love, and gifts. In Your name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #fossil #fish #fishermen #Christmasgift #Jesus #greenriverwy #diplomystusdentatus

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys