Befana the New Year, called Giubiana in Northern Italy, with clear Celtic origins. Italian anthropologists Claudia and Luigi Manciocco, in their book "Una casa senza porte" ("A House without Doors") trace Befana's origins back to Neolithic beliefs and practices. The team of anthropologists also wrote about Befana as a figure that evolved into a goddess associated with fertility and agriculture. Befana also maintains many similarities with Perchta and her Pre-Christian Alpine traditions. The Befana is celebrated throughout all of Italy, and has become a national icon. In the regions of the Marches, Umbria and Latium, her figure is associated with the
Country Christmas October 29, 1966, "Billboard" magazine published a review of the album, which read, "The album's beautiful songs include "Country Christmas", "Away in a Manger" — all great programming material for country music stations, and this will create high sales. The "Manger" tune deserves a single. Possibly her best effort to date." The album did not appear on any major music charts. Recording sessions for the album took place on July 7, July 13, and July 15, 1966, at Bradley's Barn, Mount Juliet, TN. Country Christmas Country Christmas is the first Christmas album by American country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It