High Point University Hosts Large Christmas Prayer Breakfast, Community Embrace
High Point University welcomed nearly 1,000 people to its 54th Annual Christmas Prayer Breakfast on December 5, drawing faith leaders, musicians and local residents to the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. The free event offered holiday music and inspirational messages, a livestream for remote viewers and reinforced the universitys seasonal outreach as the community moves into a busy winter season.
On December 5, High Point University held its 54th Annual Christmas Prayer Breakfast, filling the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center with nearly 1,000 attendees for music, prayer and seasonal reflection. University president Nido Qubein opened the program and Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell served as the featured speaker. Performances included holiday music by Wintley Phipps and presentations from the High Point University Chapel Choir. The event was free and open to the public, and a livestream made the program accessible to those who could not attend in person.
The breakfast continues a longstanding local tradition that brings together faith communities, students, staff and residents during a season when social connection can be especially important. For many attendees the gathering offered fellowship and emotional support, which public health research links to reduced stress and improved mental health during the winter months. By keeping the event free and offering a livestream, the university lowered barriers for people facing financial, transportation or caregiving constraints.
Large indoor gatherings in early December occur within the backdrop of an active respiratory virus season. Common winter viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID 19 circulate more widely as colder weather pushes activities indoors. Public health guidance generally emphasizes vaccination where appropriate, staying home when ill, and improving indoor ventilation at venues when possible. Partnerships between institutions like universities and local public health agencies can help align community celebrations with measures that reduce transmission risk for older adults and people with chronic health conditions.
The prayer breakfast also highlighted High Point Universitys broader holiday outreach. The campus calendar includes additional seasonal programming and a campus Christmas Drive planned later in December to support community needs. For Guilford County residents, events like the breakfast underscore both the social value of communal rituals and the need for equitable access to supports, from transportation to health services, as the community navigates the winter months.
