These words come to the people in an environment of total, impenetrable darkness. The contrast of the absence of light and the bright hope of this message of light must have been striking. The people must have yearned for light at that moment. They must have had an intense desire to see the light of Christ. What an awesome teaching moment—one that will soon be transformed into an even more unforgettable teaching opportunity as the darkness dissipates and the Lord comes down among the people in person!