A beautiful story of God, faith, forgiveness, and strength. A perfect read for this time of year. A key message being as Christians, we should refrain from judging others as we don't know their struggles.
The reason I'm only giving this 3 stars is because I feel I've read a very similar story from this author already and while the story was touching, it was quite predictable.
I'm already looking forward to next year's Christmas book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this DRC.

The Christmas Spirit was a solid Christmas read by the Queen of Christmas novellas Debbie Macomber. I haven’t read many things by this author, but I can count on her Christmas books to be solid and uplifting. This book has refreshing character friendship and career representation that is not found often in holiday romances.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I always look forward to Debbie Macomber's Christmas book.

The Christmas Spirit is everything I expect from her Christmas story, yet it still had some unexpectant aspects.

One of the unexpected aspects was that the main characters are two guys who have been best friends since their school days. Pete is a paster and Hank runs a bar. Usually the Christmas stories I read feature a female protagonist. I really liked this unexpected twist. They are great characters.

The plot is a familiar trope, but one that is a lot of fun. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right? Well, Pete and Hank think the other has the easy life so they decide to switch places. It is just days until Christmas, one of the busiest times for both of them. What could go wrong? More importantly what will go right?

There are definitely a few cute moments - a mule gets loose on the square, a biker gang interrogates Pete. There are also a number of touching moments. All the things fans of Macomber's Christmas expect and love.

This book has a vibe similar to her Mrs. Miracle series instead of the romantic comedies she sometimes writes. I enjoyed and appreciated this unexpected aspect. While there is a bit of romance, it is nowhere near the focus of the plot and I again appreciated that as I read way too many holiday romances this time of year.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for the typical feel-good Christmas story. It gave me all the good holiday feels that I want in a Christmas novel.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/12/3-very-different-christmas-stories-for.html

I received an ARC of this book. Another wonderful Christmas story from Debbie Macomber. I loved it!

I had a really hard time getting through this book. I absolutely love this author. However, this book wasn’t my cup of tea. And I love Christmas books! Will I still read books by this author? Absolutely

A sweet story with a gentle reminder to love everyone from all walks of life. Nana has her grandchildren for the day and they decide a story is in order. So begins this tale… Have you ever looked at someone else’s life(job) and thought they have it easy? Well this story is just that. Hank and Pete decide to trade jobs in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Hank runs a tavern and Pete is a pastor. What ensues in the duration of the switch will certainly get you thinking. Christmas is the season of giving and opening your heart to others who ever they may be. Debbie’s newest holiday book will leave you feeling the warmth of the season. The ending is sure to leave you smiling. Ty #NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this Christmas romance. Macomber gives us two intertwined love stories that work well together. It is a sweet tale that has bar owner Hank swapping places with his best friend Pete, who is a pastor. It is set in 1977, though there is an adorable frame about the story being told by a grandmother to her grandchildren.

This is heartwarming and low angst. I liked it much more than last year’s new Christmas story. This feels like a classic Macomber with heart and a bit of faith. It you like her other books, you should enjoy this too.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

My Review: If you have been around here for previous Advent Reads events you know this, but if you are new here it isn't Christmas for me until I have read the newest Debbie Macomber Christmas story. There have been some really great ones and ones that were so so, but this might be one of the best ones yet! I loved the concept of the story and she really ran with it. While we may have heard similar stories in the past but none quite like this one. I enjoyed both the friendships and the community elements in this book. Debbie usually has a strong romance element in her books and while it is there, it kind of takes a backseat. I loved the setting, the characters and the story.

My Rating: I have loved a lot of Debbie's Christmas stories but this is really up there with my favorites. I really recommend this one for a real feel good story for the holiday season, full of traditions new and old and people coming together. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Fantastic festive and feel good read by Debbie Macomber, full of great characters, community spirit, family and love . It’s got a wonderful Christmassy feel and thoroughly recommend

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Debbie is my go-to Christmas story novelist. She doesn't fail me and this story is just another star. Cozy read told from a grandmother's perspective. Debbie always shows us what the true meaning of Christmas is. Perfect quick read and a pick-me-upper.

If you are looking for a fluffy, light, easy to read, festive Christmas book then this is it! The writing was very surface. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. It was festive and made me feel warm hearted but was missing depth.

‘The Christmas Spirit’, by Debbie Macomber was a cute uplifting Christmas story. Although this was not one of my favorites by Ms. Macomber, it was an easy to read story with likable characters.

I absolutely loved this book! Debbie Macomber is a great writer. Everything she writes is amazing! This is a must read. Everything she writes is a must read. I have yet to find a book I didn’t love!

I always enjoy Ms. Macomber's Christmas books and this one didn't disappoint. I loved the idea of a bar owner and a pastor trading places. The characters are unforgettable and the story is well-crafted.

I loved the humor in the book and found it a very quick read. I have a feeling that I'll be reading again!

Absolutely delightful! A great reminder of what it means to live out our faith. This heartwarming story tells the tale of a transformed life, and the impact it can have on those around us.

The Mrs. Miracle series has always been my favorite Christmas series from Debbie Macomber, but I now have a new one to add beside them: The Christmas Spirit. Peter Armstrong, the local pastor, and Hank Colfax, the local bar owner, have been best friends since they were kids. When they each scoff and say the other has an easy peasy job, they decide they will switch jobs for the week before Christmas. What a wake up call it is for both of then, yet they each find a way that they can help out with problems that have been facing the other. But best of all, they each find a way to bring the true spirit of Christmas to their new position as well a leading others to the true Spirit of Christmas.

Make sure you read this wonderful read for Christmas.

This short holiday novel is delightful from beginning to end. The Princess Bride like storytelling draws you in from the start. “Is this a kissing book?” The spiritual elements infuse the story, but it never becomes too over the top. A perfect holiday read.
4.5 stars

In THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, a nana is telling a Christmas story to her two grandchildren. two old friends Hank and Pete who decide to switch places for a week, thinking that the other has it easy where they work. Little do they know.. Peter is a local pastor and Hank runs a bar frequented by bikers. They are both in for quite a surprise. Macomber does it once again with a wonderful Christmas story.
Thank you to NetGalley,

The Christmas Spirit was a great read by Debbie Macomber.Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax have been lifelong friends, but their lives are completely different. Peter is the local pastor who is dedicated to him flock. Hank is a bartender that serves his customer base in a different way. They each believe the other has things easy compared to themselves and decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. They didn't expect that things would be as difficult as they are and start to see each other in new light. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

This was my first Debbie Macomber book. I really enjoyed it and felt the style was unique as it is from a “story telling” point of view. A sweet read that will have you really thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas Eve service had me laughing out loud. A great book!