When King Herod ordered the slaughter of all the first born, St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary escaped to Egypt. On their way, they were seen by a woman whose first born had been killed. She was jealous and decided to tell the soldiers about the baby who seemed to have escaped their cruelty. So the solders stopped Joseph and Mary and ordered Mary to show them what she was carrying in her arms. She did and all they could see was some roses. The soldiers let them go. The woman who had reported them repented and went to them asking for their forgiveness. Baby Jesus smiled on her and Mary told her: “You are forgiven. From now on, every year you will bring presents to children all over the worls”.
That is how the Befana was born.
by Elisa Fierro
On the evening of the 5th of January, kids put some big socks at the feet of their bed (if you have a mantelpiece, you can hang them there, but who has one in Italian big cities?). On the following morning, they find coal if they have been naughty, and candies if they have been nice. Today, the coal is made of sugar and is white or black. They also sell some socks already filled with all sort of candies, so it is really no more a surprise for the children.
Beside the sock, children also find a present. Italian kids get present twice, from Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) and from Befana.