In Europe, and especially Italy, Epifania is a special day because that is when La Befana arrives to leave gifts for the children. If they have been good they get sweets but if they have not then they get a lump of coal in their stocking!
I was reading that these days the coal is sweet and can be eaten.
Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the Wise Men or Magi to visit the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, and the revelation of the Son of God to the people.
It marks the end of the Christmas season so we pack up the Christmas tree and decorations (and hope all the excess food has gone so we can eat sensibly again!)
Each year I mark the front door lintel with a blessing which commemorates the hospitality offered to the Magi on their journey to the Christ Child. It is a blessing for the home and for hospitality to all who come through the door.
In keeping with our Italian themed Christmas we are having an Epifania meal - antipasto, a stunning lasagne which I tasted in Genoa but have not made before, and special sweet biscuits. Traditionally sweets and chocolates are part of the celebration but it is too hot here to think of eating chocolate at this time of year.
Buona Festa!
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