The Birth of John the Baptist

In the beginning of Church History: The Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57–66.
The angel told Mary, Luke 1:36, that it was then the sixth month with her; after this Mary was with her about three months, which made up her full time; so she delivered, and brought forth a son, to show the truth of God's promises, that we may all learn to give credit to his word. The neighbors and Cousins of Elisabeth came, to rejoice with her, which was according to the custom of friends to this day.3
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; Circumcision was a religious ceremony, performed, according to the law of Moses, as a rite essential to the admission of any one to the Jewish communion. It was performed upon infant children of Jewish parents, when they were eight days old; and upon those who had not been thus circumcised in infancy, at the time of their conversion to Judaism, at whatever period of their lives this might be. It corresponded, therefore, in many respects, to the baptismal ceremony of the Christian dispensation, as practiced by most denominations. and they called him, after the name of his father; that is, they proposed to call him Zachariah.
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. This is the name which the angel desired should be given him, Luke 1:13, and of which Zacharias by writing had informed his wife. And they said to her, There is none of your kindred that are called by this name. The Jewish tribes and families were kept distinct. To do this, and to avoid confusion in their genealogical tables, they probably gave only those names which were found among their ancestors. Another reason for this, common to all people, is the respect which is felt for honored parents and ancestors. They made signs to his father - Who, it appears from this, was deaf as well as dumb; otherwise they might have asked him, and obtained his answer in this way.2 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marveled.
His mouth was opened, That is, he was enabled to speak. For nine months he had been dumb, and it is probable that they supposed that he had been afflicted with a paralytic affection, and that he would not recover. Hence their amazement when he spoke. For one act of disbelief all this calamity had come upon him and it had not come without effect. With true gratitude he offered praise to God for the birth of a son, and for his restoration to the blessings of speech.2
And fear came - Seeing what they might have thought a paralytic affection so suddenly and effectually healed. The inhabitants of Hebron and its environs, who were well acquainted with the circumstances of Zacharias and Elisabeth, perceived that God had in a remarkable manner visited them; and this begot in their minds a more than ordinary reverence for the Supreme Being. Thus the salvation of one often becomes an instrument of good to the souls of many. The inhabitants of this hill country seem to have been an open, honest-hearted, generous people; who were easily led to acknowledge the interposition of God, and to rejoice in the comfort and welfare of each other. The people of the country are more remarkable for these qualities than those in towns and cities. The latter, through that evil communication which corrupts good manners, are generally profligate, selfish, regardless of God, and inattentive to the operation of his hands.