In Italy, children look forward to January 6 every year. This is when La Befana, a friendly old witch, arrives. She brings presents to the children on this day.
Sophia and Marcel are also very excited. "Don't you want to know why La Befana is coming?" Their grandma asks as she hangs the stockings by 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 would lead them to the manger. On their journey, they passed through an Italian village and knocked on the door of an old woman. Her name was La Befana. They asked the Italian woman for directions.
However, La Befana was busy cleaning her house. She was not happy about the disturbance. The three wise men explained to her that they were on their way to the baby Jesus. "Won't you come with us," they wanted to know. But La Befana had too much to do and refused.
As the three kings moved on, La Befana began to ponder. Perhaps she had made a mistake! She wanted to see the baby Jesus and quickly packed some sweets in a basket. She ran out of the house to catch up with the three wise men - but she got lost. She couldn't find her way to the manger.
Legend has it that she has been flying from house to house with her broom on the night of January 5th to 6th every year since that day. She is still searching for the child and looks in every window. Because she can never be sure whether the baby Jesus lives in the house, she leaves presents in the children's stockings. Something sweet for the good children, a piece of coal for the naughty ones."
Grandma was ready, the stockings were hanging. La Befana could come. "We call this day the Feast of the Three Wise Men, or Epifania. La Befana is a very important part of this holiday."
Sophia and Marcel were spellbound by the story. "I hope I only get sweets and not money," said Marcel with a grin.
"You just have to behave yourselves and who knows, maybe La Befana will visit us," said their grandma with a smile.
Image comes from Pixabay (free of charge)
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