Light and a Royal Child Answer Northern Darkness

The north that was first humbled is the first to see a great light

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The geography is the northern territories crushed in the Assyrian advance. Light, multiplied nation, joy as at harvest or as when dividing spoil, the broken yoke and staff, and every boot and bloodied garment fuel for the fire all answer that northern night. The ancient horizon stays first. Later messianic reception may sing here; it must not erase Zebulun and Naphtali, settle one child's identity without remainder, or demean Jewish readings that keep the Davidic and northern frame.

A child is born for David's throne, and the government is named by its work

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The titles describe a royal child whose rule is counsel, might, fatherly care of a people, and peace established by justice. The zeal is the LORD's, not a later community's right to condemn those who read the child inside Israel's hope. Christian confession of this text is reception, not a license to sneer at Jewish hope for David's house.