Befana Befana In Italian folklore, Befana () is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus. A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of Epiphany or in Catholic "La Festa dell'Epifania". "Epifania" is a Latin word with Greek origins meaning "manifestation (of the divinity)." Some suggest that Befana is descended from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strenia. In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill
The Christmas Hope The Christmas Hope The Christmas Hope is a 2009 American-Canadian made-for-television drama film directed by Norma Bailey and starring Madeleine Stowe which was broadcast on Lifetime on December 13, 2009. It is the third part in a trilogy of films, preceded by "The Christmas Shoes" (2002) and "The Christmas Blessing" (2005). After the recent loss of her son Sean—a minor character in "The Christmas Blessing"—Patty Addison (Madeleine Stowe) devotes herself to finding homes for needy children. The loss of Sean has strained Patty's relationship with her husband Mark, an airline pilot. But they reconnect emotionally when they take in Emily,