In Italy, La Befana, the good-hearted witch who has been flying down chimneys delivering gifts longer than Santa Claus, tells us her origin story: Three wise men came by looking for the baby king and invited La Befana to join them. She thought it was crazy, but when angels appeared in the sky to shepherds and everyone, she believed, but by that time the star of Bethlehem was fading and it was too late. Since then, every year on the eve of the Epiphany (Jan 6th) she rides her magic broomstick down chimneys of houses looking for the baby Jesus to give him a gift like the Magi did. Every time she sees a good child sleeping, she thinks, "This one looks as beautiful as the baby Jesus," and leaves a gift and treats for all of them as well.
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