LP Lotion: 2006 Christmas - Epcot's World Showcase Storytellers
Page 9 of 13
"Natale con I tuoi, Capo D'Anno con chi vuoi"
This old Italian verse truly expresses the strong feelings the Italian people have for the celebration of Christmas. It means, "You celebrate
the new year with whomever you please, but Christmas only with your own." In fact, Christmas is often described as the warmest, most
intimate Italian holiday because it is a special time when family members get together to enjoy age-old traditions. Children eagerly
await the presents brought to them by a good-hearted witch called La Befana. She is the Christmas gift-giver who climbs down chimneys to
fill good children's shoes with treats. Naughty children may find a lump of coal instead! Unlike Santa Claus, who appears on Christmas
Eve, La Befana arrives on the eve of Epiphany (January 6). La Befana supposedly wanders the countryside looking for Gesu Bambino (baby
Jesus) year after year, and leaves gifts just in case she finds him. On Christmas Eve, a ceremony takes place around the Presepio, a nativity
scene of Bethlehem. Then, after Midnight Mass, there is a cenone, which is a delicious feast of rich Italian food.
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Video: The Italy Storyteller (11 minutes, 1 second)
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