Originally Posted on Dec. 18, 2021

Today marks Qatar National Day. The Qatari pride across Doha is similar to the pride of small-town Southwest Oklahoma during Fourth of July gatherings.

Hanging from storefronts are the white-and-maroon flags of Qatar. The same flags are posted on the tops of vehicles.

As I was walking home last night, the bumper-to-bumper vehicles honked, flashed their headlights, and even rolled along with their emergency lights on.

Qataris of all ages—including young children—popped out of sun roofs to wave and cheer as the vehicles continued down the highway.

“An impromptu parade?” I thought.

The schedule parade is today (happening now) but by invitation only.

Around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, I experienced what I consider to be full immersion into the culture at the 11th Katara International Dhow Festival.

Qatar declared its independence from Britain in 1971, according to Doha News, and during the month of December, festivals are held across the city.

As I walked from one end of Katara Beach to the other, I marveled not only at the wooden dhows on the water and the falcons on the land—but at the people.

They circled around to play bagpipes, sing, and dance. Some sat in the sand to carve boats and create wired baskets. Others stood up and painted on canvases.

The most intriguing activity to me was the traditional dance performed by men and boys wearing traditional attire.

After researching the dance, I believe it is called “Ardha”—it’s a folk dance connected to the Bedouin tribes that first settled in Qatar, according to an article by the Qatar Tribune.

“It is only performed by men, who find it a good opportunity to perform certain moves that show their strength, while chanting native poetry verses,” the article states.

I could not understand a single word they were chanting—but the sounds and rhythms were enticing. Crowds of people stopped to take photos and videos.

Before beginning my 45-minute trek home, I drank a cup of karak tea and tried chapati (unleavened flatbread) with cheese as my friend and I discussed what the life of Jesus Christ might have been like.

Adventuring in the Middle East has allowed me to feel the temperatures Jesus felt, walk on terrain similar to that on which He walked, and look upon the faces of those native to the region where He lived.

Last night, I experienced Christmastime in a new way—a surreal way.

Although there were not any mangers or angels, I saw a lighted horse-drawn carriage, along with a row of arches.

“Do you see those?” I asked my friend. “Look.”

I pointed at the lighted stars embedded in the arches.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” - Matthew 2:1-2