Posada Navideña 2025

The House of Prayer choir with director Mihail Christati and accompanist Henry Doktorski.

December 20, 2025: House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Escondido, California hosted their first Posada Navideña festival. Henry explained:

Posada Navideña translates to “Christmas Inn” or “Christmas Lodging,” a festive Mexican/Latin American tradition reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem, celebrated nightly from Dec 16-24 with processions, songs, food, and piñatas, symbolizing the journey and community spirit before Christmas. We had great music, great theater, great company.

I thought the music was exceptional. Special mention to harpist Jessica Sun, the string quartet of Randy Plate, Bruce Windoffer, Brooke Senne and Faith Senne, members of the House of Prayer Choir and director Maestro Mihail Christati (who also played oboe), violist Mark Doering and violinist Michael Doering, the House of Prayer Children’s Choir, and the actors, narrators and set designers! I played my “Improvisation on The First Noel” on piano, and “O Holy Night” on accordion. I love processions, and theater, and good music of course. Here’s a few pictures from the festival.

For more about House of Prayer Lutheran Church, see House of Prayer Website.

Photos by Robert Hinrichs.

String quartet of Randy Plate, Bruce Windoffer, Brooke Senne and Faith Senne.

Henry plays “Imrovisation on The First Noel.”

Jessica Sun.

Music Director Mihail Christati plays “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” on oboe.

Henry plays “Oh Holy Night.”

House of Prayer Pastor Rev. Christina De La Cruz (on right), with actors.

Bulletin for Posada Navideña 2025.