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Article: Christmas More than a day.(B)(Metropolitan)(Life/Home)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- December 26, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Gabriella Boston
Many of us had had all we could take of gifts, egg nog and fudge by yesterday evening, but not all Christian cultures end their Christmas celebrations on Christmas Day.
In many European countries, the Christmas season stretches from early December until Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the Three Kings' visit to the Christ Child in Bethlehem.
In Italy, for example, Epiphany, 12 days after Christmas, is just as celebrated as Christmas Day.
"That's when Befana comes with gifts for the children," says Italian Ambassador Ferdinando Salleo, "but if you have been bad, you get a piece of coal."
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