Millions of children around the world are familiar with the Santa Claus, his black boots, red suit and twinkeling good eyes. He arrives at Christmas Eve in his sleigh pulled by reindeers.
Christmas time is celebrated all over the world. It is the time for joy and happiness. In Italy for example, children receive gifts from La Befana, the good witch. La Befana was a widowed, childless woman when the Three Kings passed on their way to see the Christ child. They asked her about the way to Bethlehem, but she didn’t answered. She was to busy cleaning the house. La Befana realized that she committed a great mistake and left to search the Baby Jesus. To this day she is still searching going from house to house on Epiphany, January 6, leaving a gift for good children.
In Russia children are waiting for Babouska. She was a farmer’s wife and offered food and shelter to the Three Kings, when they were in the journey in Bethlehem. They asked her to join them and visit the New Born Child, but she refused. Babouska realized her great mistake and tried to find them, but unsuccessfully. She gave the presents to children she passed along the way.
In Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America the Three Kings and not Santa Claus bring gifts to children and in France the little ones are waiting for Pere Noel.
In Austria and Switzerland it is Christkindl or the Christ Child who arrives bearing gifts. In Great Britain a thinner version of Santa Claus known as Father Christmas, wearing long red robes with sprigs of holly in his hair, delivers presents to good children.
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