I was watching a special on Christmas folklore from around the world. I thought the Italian story of Befana was interesting.

Legend has it that the witch Befana was approached by the three Wise Men on the way to find the Son of God to be born, as they were following the star. The Wise Men wanted to see if they could stay the night, and if she had more specific directions. They went to her house due to her wisdom, and reputation for being the best hostess and homemaker.

She gave them shelter over night, but had no information about the child to be born, but was able to give advise on other parts of their further journey. When the Wise men asked if she would join them, she said, no she had to finish her housework.

Later she realized how foolish she had been, and gathered gifts for Mary and Jesus, and also followed the star, but did not make it before the star was gone.

Now she spends each Epiphany (Jan 6, in their tradition, when the Wise Men arrived) bringing gifts to good children while riding her broom and going down chimneys, but bad children get coal or sticks.

Lets make sure unlike Befana, that we put Jesus first in our lives.

John 14:6 NASB

Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

We have to make sure we don’t get so caught up in the extra activities of the Christmas season, that we forgot the focus, and of course the rest of the year as well.