Page Two

Welcome to the Chronicle's special holiday issue. Top 10s, of course, is an issue we do every year. But this year, by the pure grace of the gods, or the Julian calendar, the issue date happens to fall on Jan. 6, the Epiphany Day.

You know the story: three wise men, bearing gifts to honor a baby – a symbol of hope and rebirth – and a message that it is still possible to imagine a future when people can live together in peace, and harmony, and tolerance. It was the Twelfth Night of a new life, a long, long time ago ...

The cover of this issue is kind of a downer, isn't it? Not very cheerful. Not a very nice way to celebrate the holiday season and the passing of the year. Well, what can I say? 2005 was not really a happy news year. Even without much mention of the Middle East, the Top 10 lists in the News section don't paint a flattering picture. There are a few bright spots, but you really have to dig to find them. (We now realize that we shouldn't beat up black folks so often, and we're doing our very best to find out why we keep doing it. Also, we are capable of breathtaking generosity toward people in need – as long as they're "refugees" and not just "homeless.") Still, progress is, I suppose, progress.

And then, things get considerably more inspirational once you get past the News section. There's lots of cool stuff about plays and books, and restaurants and movies and music, all of which seems to indicate that, around these parts at least, we all had a fun and productive year. So enjoy. Rejoice, in fact – be merry, have a lovely feast day, and, from our family to yours, here's hoping the kindly old witch brings you all the joy and presents you deserve.

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Epiphany and La Befana

In much of the Christian world, the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on Jan. 6, is more eagerly celebrated than is Christmas. (Think of the famous song: The 12th day of Christmas brings 78 presents, as opposed to just a bird in a bush on the first day.) It celebrates the day the Three Kings (or wise men, or magi) arrived at the manger and proclaimed the new Lord. (Rent Three Kings for a modern reworking of the tale.)

Befana was an old woman whom the three magi came across on their way to find the Christ baby. They invited her to join them, but she wanted to finish cleaning her house and said she'd follow them later. But Befana never found her way to the manger, so ever since, she's been wandering the earth looking for the Christ child. These days she's known as the witch who climbs down the chimney on the night of Jan. 5 (the actual "twelfth night") to leave toys and sweets in children's shoes and stockings. A bad child might get a lump of charcoal, but at least it's made out of sugar.