...SWEET "BEFANA".....

                            

La Befana

Italy's traditional celebration includes the tale of a witch known

as La Befana,

who arrives on her broomstick

during the night of the january 5....

                                                                  
                                                                                 She enters each house through its chimney....
                                                                                        and silently fills each child stockings........ 
                                                             
                                                       

The legend of la Befana may stretch to pagan times.
She first appeared in ancient Roman
 winter festivals as aging Mother Nature,
delivering her last gifts....

 

                                                                  I'll recount you the tale....:

                                      La Befana  was famous for spending her days in the kitchen, 

                                                                cooking and sweeping.

                   On the first Christmas, the Magi stopped by her house, asking directions to Bethlehem.

           She made them dinner and they told her, “We're going to see the Christ child,

                                                               want to come along?          

                  “Impossible,” she replied. “There's all these dishes to wash and the kitchen to sweep!”

                      So the kings went on their way. Then, as the old woman was sweeping, it hit her: 

                                          Did those men say they were going to see Jesus?
                                She ran out of her cottage with her broom to follow them, but…

                         no kings in sight. She kept running, until her broom lifted her into the air.

                 Ever since, La Befana has flown through the night sky on the Eve of the Epiphany,

                         delivering goodies to children, hoping one of them is the Christ child.....

All kids  hang stockings close to the fireplace and set out a glass of wine for La Befana.

 She knows no child has been perfect all year,

 so tomorrow morning they'll find their stockings filled

 with a mix of treats – coal (actually delicious black rock candy),

 maybe walnuts & tangerines…

and finally they'll dig to the bottom and find chocolates and caramels....

Who could not adore this

ordinary woman, caught in the midst of her

ordinary world,

suddenly struck by the

Epiphany,

dropping everyting to run

and be a part of it?

We all in Italy love her...

and celebrate

with Joy

sweet Befana.....

and believe me.....not only the children....!

HAPPY BEFANA......!!!!!!

Do not forget to hang your stockings close to the fireplace...!  



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