Santa is not the only one to use the chimney

IN popular Italian folklore, La Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good, or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad.

Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves.

To some the sweeping meant the sweeping away of the problems of the year. The child’s family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food for La Befana.

She is usually portrayed as an old woman riding a broomstick through the air, wearing a black shawl and covered in soot because she enters the children’s houses through the chimney.

She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both.

Christian legend had it that La Befana was approached by the Three Wise Men a few days before the birth of the Infant Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of God was, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she did not know.

She provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village, with the most pleasant home. The magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework.

Later, La Befana had a change of heart and tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus.

That night she was not able to find them so, to this day, she is searching for the little baby. Although she has been unsuccessful in her search, she still leaves gifts for good young children because the Christ Child can be found in all children.

Popular tradition tells that if one sees La Befana one will receive a thump from her broomstick, as she doesn’t wish to be seen. This aspect of the tradition may be designed to keep children in their beds.

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