In Italy, children look forward to January 6 every year. That's when La Befana, a friendly old witch, comes. She brings the children gifts on that day.
Sophia and Marcel are already really excited. “Don’t you want to know why La Befana actually comes?” their grandmother asks as she hangs the stockings on the fireplace. She began to tell the story.
“A long, long time ago, when Jesus was still a baby, three wise kings from the East set out to bring him gifts. They followed a bright star that was supposed to lead them to the manger. On their journey, they passed through an Italian village and knocked on an old woman’s door. Her name was La Befana. They asked the Italian woman for directions.
La Befana, however, was busy cleaning her house at the time. She wasn’t happy about the interruption. The three wise men explained to her that they were on their way to see the baby Jesus. “Won’t you come with us?” they asked. But La Befana had too much to do and declined.
As the Three Kings continued on their way, La Befana began to worry. Maybe she had made a mistake! She wanted to see the Baby Jesus, so she quickly packed some candy into a basket. She ran out of the house to catch up with the Three Kings—but she got lost. She couldn't find her way to the manger.
Legend has it that ever since that day, she has flown from house to house on her broomstick every year on the night of January 5–6. She is still searching for the child and looks into every window. Because she can never be sure whether the Baby Jesus might not be living in a particular house after all, she leaves gifts in the children’s stockings. Something sweet for the well-behaved children, a piece of coal for the naughty ones.”
Grandma was all set, and the stockings were hanging. La Befana could come. “We call this day the Feast of the Three Kings, or Epiphany. La Befana is a very important part of this holiday.”
Sophia and Marcel were completely captivated by the story. “I hope I only get candy and no coal,” Marcel said with a grin.
“You just have to be good, and who knows—maybe La Befana will come visit us,” their grandmother said with a smile.
Image courtesy of Pixabay (free)
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