Happy Epiphany, and Thanks for the Orange, La Befana!

“We were so poor, I was lucky if I got an orange on Christmas,” my father always told me. He seemed to marvel at his good fortune, via hours of bricklaying work, to be able to give his four kids gifts on Christmas.

I never thought twice about getting any toy I saw repeatedly advertised on Saturday morning cartoons. I started begging for my desired prize months ahead of time. I usually got a dress from my aunt, some needed clothing item, and at least one toy, plus little gifts from my siblings. We lived in a comfortable house with a big yard and we ate well, but were definitely working class. Frivolous gifts like the white vinyl GoGo Boots I wanted in the mid-60s never came.

An orange? I wondered how poor you had to be to think an orange was a great Christmas gift. I wish I could go back and see what my dad’s life was like to fully appreciate mine now. That orange was probably said to be delivered by La Befana, who I knew little about until fairly recently. I found info on her at HardCoreItalians.com. Here’s another link: Celebrating La Befana in Italy.

The tale of La Befana begins on the 12th day of Christmas, which is January fifth.  “La Befana is the oldest, and most popular figure to come during Christmas in Italy. She dates back to approximately a thousand years ago. The name La Befana may have come from the word, Epifania, Italian for Epiphany. Many think it also means old witch because La Befana is definitely not a looker.”

She’s described as an old witch. The story goes that “The Three Wisemen were guided by a star to visit newborn Jesus. They were bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As they continued on their journey, many joined them. The three Biblical Maji came across La Befana, a woman who lived in a small village.” They asked her to join them but La Befana, broom in hand, refused and explained that she had cleaning and other housework to do. (I must be directly related to La Befana…the similarities are there.)

“The next morning she regretted her initial decision and set out on a journey to find the Three Wise Men and baby Jesus but was unable to find them. As a result, every year on Epiphany, La Befana flies on her broomstick all across Italy to find baby Jesus, and leaves gifts to all the good children of the country.”

So, apparently La Befana was a serious cleaner with a bad sense of direction. Scarily, she and I have quite a bit in common. I spent the entire day yesterday maniacally cleaning my house, broom and vacuum in hand, trying to rid myself of the pine needles from that fresh tree I was crazy enough to buy. Our directional abilities are about the same too. If we were ever lost (in the days before Google Maps) my ex used to ask me which way I thought we should go. I’d tell him and he’d go the opposite way, which was sadly, usually the right way.

La Befana spends all the hours of her days sweeping the inside and outside of her little house in the village. She’s dressed in an old, worn out, dirty shawl, covered in soot because she’s believed to enter the homes of the children through their chimneys.” She’s also described as not very friendly. To children who’ve been good she brings gifts, fruit, and candy. In contrast, the children who have been bad receive coal, garlic, and onions.

(That’s better than the legendary Krampus, from German history who looks like a demon and will either whip children, beat them, or cart them off in a basket strapped to his back. Then he decides whether to drown them, eat them, or transport them to hell.) Those Germans don’t fool around.

So, La Befana, if you’re out there, a belated thanks for my dad’s orange all those years ago. I celebrate you, your broom, your generosity, and completely understand when it comes to your sense of direction.

Buona Epifania, or as they say in Italy, ‘L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via’ (Epiphany takes all holidays away).

I wish you the very best in 2025. Thank you for reading, for buying me cups of coffee, and taking the time to respond. I am working on improved discipline this year and hope all your New Year dreams come true!

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