Many Italians have deep roots in the Catholic Church, which influences much of Italy, especially Rome, and is a defining part of the nation's history and development. Religious holidays are widely observed in Italy, with accompanying feasts, festivals, and celebrations. The focal point in Italian homes during Christmas is the nativity scene, or creche, which is thought to denote the true meaning of Christmas. Another tradition for Italians during the holidays is lighting the Yule Log, which stays lit from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day. Gifts are given on the Feast of the Epiphany, on January 6th. Children set out their shoes the night before the holiday in anticipation of La Befana, who is an old woman who travels throughout Italy on her broom leaving toys, fruit, and candy in children's shoes. If the children were bad, they would find their shoes filled with coal. http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~ngargano/corsi/100/wk11.natale.italy.htm
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