by Anelisa

Created on: July 03, 2008   Last Updated: February 09, 2010

La Befana brings gifts to Italian children but last year she came to bring gifts to almost fifty children in our Christmas party in the USA. Each was holding a stocking and were gathered around to hear the story but they could also see La Befana because one of the mothers had dressed up as an old peasant woman. All eyes were on her as the children listened from the big book.

The custom of gift giving in Italy takes place in the Feast of the Epiphany. The children hang their colorful and big stockings in their homes awaiting La Befana to bring them gifts and treats. She is an old peasant woman who was visited by the Three Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem. They stopped at La Befana's house to ask for directions and asked her to join them. Being a peasant hard working woman, she replied that she was too busy cleaning her house. Later on she saw a great light in the sky and she realized that she should have gone with the Wise Men who were long gone. She still searches for the Christ Child but she can't find him.

Each year on the Eve of the Epiphany, the children in Italy hang their stockings by the fireplace which remains lighted the entire night to keep the holy infant warm. She puts sweets and chocolates into the stockings of children who have been good and black coal into the stockings of children who have been naughty.

All the children received gifts and treats in the party since they all had been so very good. Some of the adults who were at the party were in Italy when they were children themselves and had shared the story with them so some were somewhat familiar with the tradition but most of them just enjoyed getting gifts and found the woman dressed with a long dress and a scarf interesting. Some of the little children were a little afraid so their mothers or fathers held them. The adults plan to do it again for the children since they loved it and of course Santa came later.

The older adults who were from Italy and who remembered La Befana were so very happy seeing their grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoy a tradition that was so much a part of their childhood. The others learned a new tradition.

Next time you are in Rome during the Christmas season and in particular, January 6th, The Feast of the Epiphany; go to Piazza Navona and you will meet La Befana who will treat you to sweets.

The Christmas Season is much longer in Italy and ends January 6th.. It follows the church calendar with numerous liturgical services and festivities. La Befana is

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>