On January 6, the Epiphany, the children waken to find gifts left by La Befana. The Epiphany is the day that the three wise men or three kings find the baby Jesus in the manger, the day that marks the end of the Christmas season.
There are a few versions of the story of Befana. One legend has it that along the way the three wise men encountered an old woman who they encouraged to join them in the journey. Having way too many chores still undone(as is still the curse of Italian women), she refused, and the three wise men went along their merry way. Later, she decided to set out upon a voyage of her own to find the Christ child, giving little gifts to each of the children she met along her way.
An excellent children's book in English that tells the tale of La Befana is The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola. I finally bought one for Maddy this Christmas.
And, oh -- how lucky are we that we get to continue the Christmas celebration well into the first week of January!
We've been warned by a neighbor that we should expect a visit from La Befana at our home Monday evening. She now takes on the form of one ugly witch.
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