This is Befana,the Italian mother Christmas. Traditionally, she is the one who delivers gifts, but the date is not December 25th but on Epiphany, which is January 6th. You may know the expression “mamma mia” which is an Italian expression for surprise and or anguish. Italians are known for devotion to their own mothers as well as the Virgin Mary.
Anyway, back to Befana. . . . . .see the broom she is holding? That is not for transportation as a witch would use, but because she is a very committed housewife. She is constantly sweeping and cleaning her house. In fact, she has a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder in that regard.
One day Befana was sweeping as usual, when something extraordinary happens. In her yard are three grand men fit to be kings with silks, and turbans and all sorts of grandeur. She does stop momentarily to inquire who they are and where they are going. They tell her they are astronomers who are following a new and very bright star to find the new king who has been born. They are bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the baby king. Being kindly kings themselves, they invite Befana to join them on their journey.
“Oh gracious no,” answered Befana. “I have much too much to do in my house, I have to clean and sweep!” The kings with their servants and camels……yes camels……bade her goodbye as she was left sweeping her porch.
At some later time, Befana , herself, had an Epiphany when she thought, “Stupida! ( I am stupid!) I missed a chance to give a gift to a new king to stay home and clean!) She ran around her house to find appropriate gifts for the child and set out on her journey to try and catch up with the Magi.
You guessed it but forever she is leaving gifts on the night of January 5th, at each house she encounters as she is not sure in which the baby is living and she doesn’t want to miss her opportunity again!
Befana is an excellent story to remind us to be ready and open to the important things in life and not consumed by all the temporal distractions demanding our time!
Tomie dePaola has published this lovely picture book for children. My granddaughter, Alice, in second grade heard it at school this week!
The following is a lovey retelling from Befana herself set in a small Italian town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZeaTBHihj4
Buon Natale!
TalesAlongTheWay 
Lovely story and a great reminder, thank you x x
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So glad you enjoyed it!
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Hahaha I have a friend born on Jan 6th. I call her Befana! Needless to say she hates it!
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I am sure your Befana is a beautiful , wise modern woman!
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interesting!
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http://www.narendramodi.in/satyameva-jayate-truth-alone-triumphs/
Have you seen this? What do you think?
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I always believed modi as best administrator in India and will continue to believe so…but in case of 2002 riots I remain dubious. God only knows the truth.
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Beautifully said . Only Hod news.
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Hmmm, my Italian mother and aunts and friends are obsessive cleaners as well. I think it is an Italian trait. Cute story. Thanks for sharing.
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What a great story, I’d never heard of Befana before. Thank you for sharing this.
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In Spain (and other Spanish speaking countries) the 6th is called The Kings’ Day. They call the Three Wise Men the Three Kings and they are the ones who deliver the gifts to children on that day.
I think the children don’t mind who delivers the gifts on what day…so long as they arrive.
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It seems that many places in the world observed Epiphany as their major gift giving time. Pretty cool. I taught some Greek Orthodox children who followed that tradition. Didn’t know about Spain. I always heard that the tradition of giving gifts was from the Magi bearing theirs. Thanks for the comment! Merry Christmas! Is your Merry Christmas, similar to Buon Natalie? I know that there are many similarities between Spanish and Italian.
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Feliz Navidad…but in Catalan, the language of Barcelona and Catalonia, they say Bon Nadal.
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Duh….of course Feliz Navidad. . . . I loved in the Phoenix area for 7 years. Pretty cool with the similar the Barcelona Spanish!
Feliz Navidad to you ! Do you mind telling me where you live? we loved Spain.. . . . Barcelona is one of my husband’s favorite cities ever. I love the Alhambra!
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I live in Australia now, but lived in Barcelona for 5 years. I’m from California originally.
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Pretty interesting journey! So while were are here freezing you are enjoying summertime! I am amazed at meeting so many people all over the world with wonderful stories to share! Thank you !
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Thanks.
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Pingback: Roman Christmas Market at Piazza Navona | TalesAlongTheWay
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Thank you .
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Thanks. To the answer to your questions, I don’t know of any forums. I usually just write about places I have been fortunate to visit. Good luck.
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