Epiphany

In Italian folklore Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany Eve. Some say she sweeps the floor before she leaves ..... sweeping away of the problems of the year.

Christian legend had it that Befana was approached by the magi a few days before the birth of the Infant Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of God was, but she did not know. She provided them with shelter for the night. The magi invited her to join them on the journey to find Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart and set out to search for the magi and Jesus. She was not able to find them, and to this day, La Befana is still searching for the little baby, leaving gifts for children as she searches because the Christ Child can be found in all children

Today is also the day (1907) that Maria Montessori opened her first school and daycare centre for working class children in Rome. The day (1929) that Mother Teresa arrived in Calcutta to begin her work among India's poorest and sick people.