How legends develop

I've got an hypothesis about how the legend of La Befana developed. No, I haven't bothered to research it much (if you call reading 3 non-scholarly books not researching) because, well, I don't feel like it.

Even if I'm wrong...think about it...this is probably how legends have developed in human history.

La Befana is a witch riding on a broom. From what I can tell there is no exact representation of her so her appearance differs with the storyteller, except she is always an old warty woman with a crooked nose, riding her broom. I am going to assume I don't need to post a pic here since you've all seen Halloween witches. OK.

So basically one of the stories says the 3 wise men visited her in Italy while she was cleaning her house. They were on their way to see Baby Jesus (and to pray to him like they did in Talledaga Nights). They invited her to accompany them but she thought it was a waste of time so she said no.

Later she realized what a glorious opportunity she missed so she searched in vain to catch up to the group. She is still traveling the world but now she delivers gifts to kids instead of searching for the 3 wise men. No word on how she is still alive after all these years while all the other characters in the story are dead, even the Savior. OK.

I don't think I'm taking liberties when I say this is supposed to be symbolic. Prior to Christianity hitting Italy, healers were apparently older, wiser women. That was their religion. If you are familiar with the corno (Italian horn) or evil eye, those are remnants of the old religion.

When Christianity came the accusation was the old practitioners were evil magic doers. To make it seem less appealing, they were said to have warts, crooked noses and backs, wrinkled skin, wear drab colors, and to be really ugly. I suppose the apron is a reference to her being dirty while cleaning house.

Being a "witch" was dangerous for a time in Italy. Not only was it, well, not Christian, it was also a female-centered religion--not acceptable to the Christians whose beliefs and teachings were and are male-centered. The religion went underground. Women who were well-regarded healers were replaced by saints and madonnas with similar attributes to co-opt the locals into Christianity.

So the story of Befana is a story of conversion. She realized the error of her ways and chased after Jesus, but it was too late. Now she is doomed to wander Earth for eternity, searching but not finding Jesus.

There are few writings on the subject. Raven Grimassi seems to be the most well-known, albeit somewhat controversial among actual practitioners of "witchcraft", author of books about Italian folk religion. Here's a link to a few--an interesting glimpse into how legends are created to meet the needs of human beings.

Wikipedia has an interesting article about La Befana, almost as poorly substantiated as mine. ;)

The Befana comes by night
With her shoes all tattered and torn
She comes dressed in the Roman way
Long life to the Befana!

Jesus' Words

So I've been thinking lately?how awesome it would be for someone to start up a religion based only on what Jesus Christ actually said.

Not that I'd join up, but if it caught on, the world would be a better place. Or at least America would be.

I mean, let's just see what was actually important to the central figure of Christianity, after whom the religion is named. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that he would mention things that was really important for us to know?

So what did he actually say? Here's what I've come up with so far.

Bear in mind, he never said there would be a holy book, so we can't really be sure what we've got is comprehensive. But I'm pretty certain a powerful god would be able to let us know anything he wanted us to know.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

So I guess locksmiths wouldn't be needed.

"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?"

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Not a bad idea at all. Treat others how you want to be treated.

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

OK, so we can put the unemployed locksmiths to work making bigger needles. Problem solved.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Great energy-saving initiative. No lights needed. Stumble around in the dark and have faith you won't trip.

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

"Yes I am with you always, until the very end of time."

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

"For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son."

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

"Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light."

Again, it's quite clear Jesus was interested in energy conservation.

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. Love others as well as you love yourself."

"In the world you will have trouble but take courage for I have conquered the world."

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

Remain in him? How?

"Look at the bird as of the air; your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Apparently the Lord needs to visit a few drought-laden African countries.

"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."

Here the Lord expresses concern for constipation. How considerate of him!

"Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for "of such is the kingdom of heaven."

"You will be greater than all the others. Judas, you will sacrifice the man that clothes me."

"Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

So far I can't find quotes about hating non-Christians, theism, creationism, despising homosexuality, and many other things. But hey, I'm sure someone in cyberspace can find it for me.