Busy, Beware!

'Tis the Season ... or so it goes! The season for what? The season for additional stress and anxiety ... that is, if we're not careful. Befana learned the hard lesson of busyness ...

THE BALLAD OF BEFANA (by Helen Steiner Rice)
Befana the housewife scrubbing her pane, saw three old sages ride down the lane,
Saw three gray travelers pass her door -- Gaspar, Balthazar, Mechoir.
"Where journey you, sirs? she asked of them. Balthazar answered, "To Bethlehem,
For we have news of a marvelous thing. Born in a stable is Christ the King."
"Give him my welcome!" Then Gaspar smiled, "Come with us, mistress, to greet the Child."
"Oh, happily, happily would I fare, were my dusting through and I'd polished the stair."
Old Melchoir leaned on his saddle horn. "Then send but a gift to the small Newborn."
"Oh, gladly, gladly I'd send Him one, were the hearthstone swept and my weaving done.
As soon as ever I've baked my bread, I'll fetch Him a pillow for His head, and a coverlet too," Befana said.
"When the rooms are aired and linen dry, I'll look for the Babe." But the three rode by.
She worked for a day and a night and a day, then, gifts in her hands, took up her way.
But she never could find where the Christ Child lay.
And still she wanders at Christmastide, houseless, whose house was all her pride,
Whose heart was tardy, whose gifts were late; wanders and knocks at every gate,
Crying, "Good people, the bells begin! Put off your toiling and let love in."

Poor Befana, and poor us – when we put off and allow to pass numerous opportunities of love and kindness. Why not make this the the Season to bend over backwards to do an exercise of kindness ... begin today!