In some circles, today's date is known as Old Christmas, or Twelfthtide because 12 days after Christmas, some celebrate the visit of the Magi, the first Gentile recognition of Christ. Also, La Befana is observed today in Italy. It is the Epiphany festival in which the "Befana," a kindly witch, bestows gifts on children--towy and candy for those who have been good, but a lump of coal or a pebble for those who have been naughty. The festival begins on the night of January 5, with much noise and merrymaking when the Befana is supposed to come down the chimney on her broom, leaving gifts in children's stockings.
Unlike Befana, God doesn't look to see if we are good before He visits us with His presence and gifts. God's Word tells us that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). We can be confident as believers that with each day blessings from God abound, not from a witch on a broom, but rather from a loving Father and a faithful Friend.
