<P> The Benedictus ( also Song of Zechariah or Canticle of Zachary ) , given in Gospel of Luke 1 : 68 - 79 , is one of the three canticles in the opening chapters of this Gospel , the other two being the `` Magnificat '' and the `` Nunc dimittis '' . The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the circumcision of his son , John the Baptist . </P>
who is the newborn son zachariah addresses in the last part of the benedictus
John the Baptist