So on Christmas night we walked through a foot deep powdery snow, squeaking with every step. It was cold and the wind had a bite. It stung our ears and cheeks.
The road was only partially lit. It was the tradionally route we always took to school, so we knew it well. But now the trees and shrubs, the narrow paths curving down to the river, with all their strange shadows and black distance took on the mantle of menacing shapes. Close together, now and then we broke the silence with a bit of chatter and an appeal to Mum, ‘do we have to go straight to bed when we come home?’ ‘Can we still play a bit, please?’ We walked on, the warm breath from our lungs leaving a trail in the cold night air. The pealing of bells can be heard now and automatically we quickened our steps.
Inside St. Eusebius church, we’re welcomed by the sounds of the mighty organ and lights everywhere. The nave is half filled, people wearing their best, thick coats and shawls. Verger Freriks, better known as ’havikneus’ (hawk nose), because he had a nose and eye like a hawk, was roaming around as usual, looking for churchgoers seated in the wrong place. All the seats had been auctioned the week before, the highest bidders of course finished up in the front pews. Mr and Mrs. Punte, the jeweller, made sure of their proper place in God’s domain. Our two secured seats for the rest of the year were in the middle of the nave on the righthand side of the church, the first row after the middle aisle, just near and below the beautiful carved pulpit.
A very fine place with an unobstructed view of the altar and a great spot to observe the latestrollers, but after a long sermon it could be a painfull place for the buttocks and especially the tilted necks.

The boys’ choir sang together with the male choir under Mr. Frequin. It was our special occasion: Rinus Rats and I sang our solo part (Gloria in Excelsis Deo) high up in the choir loft at the back of the church, underneath the pipes of the organ. The view was grand, the church was crowded, and people were standing at the back and behind pillars.
At the front at the right side near the side altar stood a crib the height of a man. As a parting greeting we were allowed to put a coin in the box connected to a very sizeable angel, who replied with a condescending nod of its head. It must have been quite a money-spinner for the parish, as it was very popular with the kids.
On the way home, our feet were freezing and hurting, our stomachs rumbling, as we had fasted hours before communion, no food or drinks. So the hot chocolate milk (van Houtens cacao) and a piece of ‘banketletter’, a special Christmas pastry cake, went down very well.