Sanda Kiranaka Lyrics by Rookantha Gunathilaka

Light shining like a moonbeam and a cluster of stars
rests within your eyes
the colour and fragrance of a flower bud, of a tender leaf,
rests upon your face

Though you came into the world to save us,
we offer thanks, our hearts full of devotion
we, the little sheep on the sandy plain,
take our refuge in your staff

Light shining like a moonbeam and a cluster of stars
rests within your eyes
the colour and fragrance of a flower bud, of a tender leaf,
rests upon your face

When will you come to the world again?
will you come once more to carry us away?
on this Christmas day, will you grant forgiveness?
forgive me, and dispel my sins

Light shining like a moonbeam and a cluster of stars
rests within your eyes
the colour and fragrance of a flower bud, of a tender leaf,
rests upon your face

The colour and fragrance rest upon your face,
the shining light rests within your eyes,
we stand waiting until you come,
wondering, will it be today?

This is a Christmas devotional sung to the infant Jesus, and it begins by gazing at his face. In your eyes, the singer says, is a light shining like a moonbeam and a cluster of stars, and on your face is the colour and fragrance of a flower bud, of a tender new leaf. It is the wonder of looking at a holy child, described in the softest images of moonlight and blossom.

Then it turns to devotion and belonging. Though you came into the world to save us, the singer says, we give thanks with hearts full of faith. He calls the worshippers little sheep on a sandy plain who take refuge in the shepherd’s staff, the old image of Christ as the shepherd and his people as the flock that shelters under him.

The last movement is a prayer. When will you come to the world again, he asks, will you return to carry us home; and on this Christmas day, will you forgive and dispel my sins? The song ends still gazing, the light resting in the child’s eyes, the worshipper waiting and wondering whether today might be the day. It is a tender carol that folds adoration of the newborn Christ into a longing for his return.