"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" (v. 2). These words are the joyous introduction to an oracle proclaiming the glorious reign of an unnamed Judean king. The primary symbol is that of light, a glorious light penetrating the darkness of night and despair. But that is particularly hard, since, with our technology, we have managed to banish darkness. Our highways, our cities, our homes -- all are flooded with light. We even have automatic sensors which trigger off the lights as soon as anyone nears our homes.

In a time when darkness was real and pervasive, however, it represented danger, confusion, and despair. Even in this oracle of hope, such darkness is alluded to in references to the yoke of burden, the bar across the shoulders, and the oppressor's rod (v. 4). The …