Scot,
I like # 6 – cosmically significant, but would like clarification on #7.
The text says: on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
You take this to mean an ecclesial body, i.e. peace to(men on whom his favor rests) which is not necessarily the entire body of mankind.
When I read the passage I thought (peace to men)on whom his favor rests, — meaning peace to all mankind, with an added clause that this peace is because of God’s favor. This is not directly an ecclesial reading or implying an ecclesial body.
Why is one reading preferred over the other?

Good post, Scot, and good question, RJS.
Dana

RJS,
The grammar isn’t one of certainty. But, this is clear:
“for those” is modified by “God’s favor.” It seems more natural to read this as “on earth… peace … among those upon whom the favor of God — in the Messiah — rests.”
Had the meaning been universal peace, it would have been easier to stop with “peace on earth” (which is what most Christmas cards do).

I like how angels are always having to tell people to calm down and stop being terrified before they can get on with their mission.
Hey, maybe that’s good advice for us too. If you went up to most people and said, “Hey, would you like to talk about Jesus?” they’d be as terrified as the shepherds. So the first step to declaring the good news of Jesus is addressing fear of condemnation, manipulation, and guilt.

Scot,
I am intrigued by your parsing of “peace on earth on those on whom his favor rests.” I am thinking about it. Good stuff!
Also I like your JESUS CREED video clip. Way to go!!

Also, Scot (or anyone), does “Savior” have a specific content here or does it simply mean “rescuer”, colored, in this context, by Israel’s story and the prophets? What I mean is, many today hear “Savior” and automatically plug in “save us from eternal damnation.” The term itself does not call for that at all, does it? (Even if other passages make that clear?) I’m just wanting to let the texts tell me clearly about ‘gospel’ and ‘savior’ rather than assume I know what those terms are saying.

T,
Savior here means the one who will rescue Israel from its (national/personal) sins. But, it is very close to “Messiah” and “messianic deliverer” and “liberator.” The key here is to read Magnificat, Benedictus, Nunc Dimittis, and John’s own preaching … these clarify the meaning of “Savior.”

Scot,
How about gospel as subversive to the imperial powers that be (i.e. the good of Jesus rather than Caesar)? I know empire is currently a hot topic within Pauline studies but I’m wondering what profit you might see (if any) in considering empire ideology as a relevant backdrop for Luke?

gospel of Jesus not good of Jesus… though Jesus is good…sorry.

A Question of Gospel. | Christian Opinion

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Scot,
Could this be added to your list of 7?
The gospel is the glory of God on earth in Christ Jesus.

Georges,
Certainly.