The First Carols: The Magnificat

Mary’s song blesses the Lord. It is the second carol. Part II of a three-part series.

[NOTE: The “Magnificat” is the second of a three-part series called “The First Carols.” The other two are “Benedictus” on November 24 and “Gloria” on December 24.]

 

“Hush, little baby, don’t you cry…”

Every good mother knows the calming power of a lullaby to help settle a fussy baby. There’s something about a mother’s voice that can bring a sense of peace — or “lull,” as the word suggests — to help a little one drift into a blessed rest.

That rest is good for the child — and good for the mother, too!

It turns out that there’s some real science behind the apparent influence of music and a mother’s voice on the development of a child, and that power extends to the womb before the child takes his or her first breath in the world.

Studies have shown, for example, that fetuses can sense audio vibrations and rhythms early in pregnancy — so much so...