Going Home Another Way
Week 1 – The Call
Three Magi on the Way to Bethlehem, by Hans Thoma
The Tradition of Befana
In Italy, an Epiphany gift-giving tradition called “Befana” includes the figure of a woman named Befana.
The story goes that the Magi, following the Star and on their way to find the Christ Child, stayed one night at the home of a hard-working older woman, Befana. She took excellent care of the travelers. Her house was so clean, and she cooked them a marvelous meal. They told her where they were going, to find the Divine Child, to pay Him homage, and to give Him their gifts. They invited Befana to accompany them to the Christ, but she was busy sweeping the house and carrying out the chores and explained that she had too many other things to do.
After the Wise Men left, Befana began to regret her decision. The legend says she gathered many gifts and left her house with her broom still in hand. She would spend all her life searching for this special Child. On Epiphany, Befana gives gifts to children, always hoping that one of the children she sees and gives a gift will be the Christ Child.1
I love this quirky story! It feels so timely for the world today. I can’t count the number of times I have put off praying (or doing something else that would be spiritually enriching) because I have too many other things to do. Especially during Advent, there are so many other things going on. So, this is a reminder that these decisions carry regret. I don’t want the regret that Befana carries, always searching to recapture a lost opportunity.
For Reflection
What Advent activity would you regret not doing when the holidays are over and we’re in January? Remember that this may be pointing at something you should discard rather than something to add! It could be making time to see someone special during this season. Or dropping a traditional activity that you do every year, but doesn’t actually bring you joy, in order to do some self-care or have quiet time instead.
Footnotes
- This story and the text can be found at https://www.catholicaction.org/epiphany_traditions ↩︎
Falling Up After 50 
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10
So often, I think I’m Martha. But today it could be Befana. Taking the word “should” out of our vocabulary is so incredibly difficult. But it’s something I “should” do….
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Yes – it’s interesting that this is basically another Martha-Mary story. I guess we can’t get too many reminders of this message.
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