The story of La Befana may or may not be well known to all Italians but it is one well known in my family. Befana, or The Christmas Witch, coincides with the Feast of Epiphany, or Three King's Day, on Jan. 6th which is the visiting of the three wiseman to the newly born Christ.
Celebrations of Befana vary depending on the region on resides in Italy but the main themes, are begging for food, small gifts to children, and bonfires.
The legend of Befana begins with a peasant woman so engrossed in her cleaning chores that she declined to travel with the three wiseman who stopped by her home on their way to Bethlehem. She gave them food for the trip but stayed to sweep. And she swept and swept and thought more about it.... Finally, she decided that perhaps if a savior had been born, she should've gone herself to see and bring gifts as well.
She finished her cleaning and tried to catch up with the three wisemen but they had gotten too far ahead. She ran to catch up and bring presents to the Baby Jesus. She still had her broom in hand and somehow ran so fast she began to fly on her broomstick but was unable to find the three wisemen. Poor old Befana never saw the baby Jesus and presented her gifts. So, each year children are presented with offerings from Befana to replace the gifts she could not deliver to the baby Jesus. It is the flying on the broom that now has her depicted as a witch.
We celebrate Befana as the ending of the Christmas season and a reminder to always make time for Jesus no matter how busy we may be. It is a simpler celebration for us only sharing in an Italian meal to celebrate.
Comment below.... how do you end your holidays? Do you celebrate Befana? Also be sure to subscribe to receive notices of future posts.
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