Just another couple days and children will be checking to see if they get sweets or coal in their stockings hung by the chimney with care.

Wait. What? Did I miss the last couple weeks? Nope, I’m right on time to prepare for La Befana’s annual visit as she searches for the Christ Child.

The Italian legend of la Befana dates to the eighth century. The story goes the Three Wise Men were on their way to Bethlehem when they stopped to rest at la Befana’s. They told her of their quest and asked if she wanted to join them. She answered that she had much work to do and could not take the time then went back to sweeping her cottage. The next morning she changed her mind but the Magi had already left. Still clutching her broom she packed up sweets for the Christ Child and set out after them. Although the Wise Men ultimately found Jesus in the stable, la Befana was not able to catch up with them and never had the chance to present her gifts. She stopped at every house she passed distributing the gifts she packed hoping one of the children was the baby Jesus of whom the Wise Men spoke.

La Befana traditionally is pictured with her broom and a shawl sometimes blackened with soot from cleaning the hearths where she leaves her gifts, sometimes in colorful patches to commemorate the gilded cloths the Wise Men wore. The basket she carries contains sweets and books for the good and coal and garlic for the naughty. She takes up her search every year on January 5, the eve of the Epiphany which then ends the Christmas season.

So if you are also still in your Christmas spirit you can join la Befana in her search this Saturday. Be sure to grab a broom and have some candy and coal ready.

Buona Festa!