This book was an amazing read. I loved everything about this book. Definitely a 5 star must read. This is one of my favorite Christmas books

When a pastor and a tavern owner switch jobs for a week right before Christmas, both of them learn about the problems and rewards of their "new" jobs. Pastor Pete discovers ways to reach people who are not regular church goers. Hank's ways of speaking the truth to others changes their lives and his in unexpected ways. The story is framed within story-telling session between Nana and her grandkids, with the points in time alternating between past and present. Savvy readers may guess some clues as to the narrative, but surprises still abound in the ending. This winsome Christian novel would be a great one to share as a family read aloud, although it works well as a novel for independent readers and adults. This is a sweet and clean novel, with a clear Christian message about acceptance and forgiveness.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Christmas Spirit will hit you right in the heart in a good way. The heartfelt message this book delivers is perfect for anytime of the year, but especially during the holiday season. Told in the format of a grandmother telling a story to her two young grandchildren, this added a special twist. As always, Debbie Macomber knows how to serve up a wonderful holiday story.

Very cute!! I suggest listening to the audiobook, so you get the full experience of being told a Christmas Story. Being a new grandma, this story was fun and enjoyable, and I cannot wait until my little one is old enough for stories like this.

Two lifelong friends decide to trade places the week before Christmas and end up finding love along the way. Ahh, the perfect combo for the best Christmas story!

Told via "story-time" to her grand kids, Grace Ann tells the tale of her husband and brother, best friends who couldn't be more different. Peter, a pastor dedicated to his community, attending meetings, and preparing for the Christmas services and live nativity. Hank, a bartender serving customers at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.

Both think the other has it easier than them, which prompts the switch. To their surprise the responsibilities are similar, both harder than they each expected. They begin to see each other in a new light while each discovers a new love and their lives are changed forever.

Debbie McComber is the queen of holiday writing and the feel good stories of the season, always incorporating the true meaning of Christmas. This is a cozy feel-good Christmas novella.

Macomber's Christmas novels are a must a read every year for me. I loved that a grandmother is telling this story to her grandchildren. I enjoyed the switching places storyline and the romances between unlikely couples. It was a quick, heart warming read.

Title: The Christmas Spirit
Author: Debbie Macomber

Ch: 18 plus epilogue


Pg: 240


Genre: Contemporary


Rating: 4 stars


Publisher: Ballantine Books





One of my favorite Christmas traditions so to speak is to read the newest Debbie Macomber Christmas novella. Reading her Christmas novella's is like be wrapped in a warm hug. To me her books are better than Hallmark movies. Though of few her books have been turned into Hallmark movies. But I have to say that this one is a favorite. The Christmas Spirit is the story a Pastor Pete and a bar owner Hank who agree to switch places for the week leading up to Christmas because they both thing the other way has an easier job.



What follows is a story that reminds readers of the true importance of the Christmas Season. And that people of all walks a life. What also made this one different is that it's set in two different time frames. The main story takes place in December 1977. But it starts in the present day with a grandmother telling a story to her grandchildren. And as she tells it we the reader see's it unfold in December 1977. I finished this one in one day it's short 240 pages and 18 chapters plus an epilogue. But so much is packed into the 240 pages you won't want to put it down.





I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This was the best book I’ve read in a long time that truly spread the message of Christmas. The characters were relatable and realistic, the plot was great, and I laughed throughout the book. Debbie Macomber has done it again! It will be one I reread yearly!

This has got to be my favorite book by this author. I loved the twist to the story within a story. There was so much comic relief that it made the book go fast. The heartwarming parts is perfect for the holidays. If you’ve never read this author before, it’s a great first timer. I can only hope this is one of her books made into a movie. Book provided by NetGalley.

This is a fast Christmas read with a warm Christmas heart. Best friends in high school, Pete and Hank have taken different paths but remain friends. Pete is a pastor and Hank owns a bar, in neighboring towns. After comparing how each has a worse life, they decide to swap jobs the week before Christmas. It is a great premise that is well-written and clever, with interesting, believable characters. Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Ballantine Books for providing an ARC.

I enjoyed this Debbie Macomber book. It followed her typical vibe and was a cute Christmas story. It did have the voice of the book male throughout parts which was slightly different than a lot of Christmas books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to honestly review.

In the Christmas Spirit, a grandmother tells a surprisingly personal story of two friends to her grandchildren. The story is about Peter, a local pastor and Hank, a local bar owner, who decide to switch places. Each thinks the other's life is better and they run into surprises and romance. A touching Christmas tale with some twists.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Ready for a Christmas Rom-Com. I suggest The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber. A week before Christmas, best friends, Peter and Hank, who are polar opposites, compare their lives. Peter is a pastor of a church and Hank is a bartender. Upon arguing over who has a tougher life, the friends decide to switch places for a week. Peter then takes over Hank’s bar and Hank takes over the duties at Peter church. As a result, both are in for a few surprises and challenges. Macomber also throws in a few other colorful characters including a few strippers and bikers. The result is a hilarious Christmas story that readers will enjoy reading again and again! Maybe this will be made into a Hallmark movie?

A cute, heartwarming yet religious story of the history of a family; told through the perspective of the grandmother. A bartender and small-town pastor change places for the week before Christmas, setting off a chain of comical events. I loved the familial aspect of the story, and the religious aspect wasn't too much. Per usual, Debbie Macomber knocks her Christmas story out of the park!

Pretty typical light-on-substance Christmas reading. Unfortunately, way too much stereotyping of the dancers and the motorcyclists and the framing device of the grandkids was wildly annoying.

I loved this story!!! Debbie Macomber has become a go-to author for her Christmas offering and this one was beyond fun.

Two best friends, Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax, couldn't live more different lives. Pete is the pastor of the local church while Hank is a bartender at the tavern he owns. Pete is dedicated to his flock, visiting and appeasing the most cantankerous, attending meetings, and at this time of year, preparing for the annual Christmas Eve live nativity service. Hank serves an entirely different group of people - his scruffy, lonely regulars, and the local biker gang. When Hank argues that Pete could never do his job, Pete thinks it would be a walk in the park compared to his. He challenges Hank to switch places with him for a week, knowing that this week, in particular, will be crazy busy. Is either man up to the challenges he'll face in the other's job?

I gotta say, I loved Hank. A less likely pastoral candidate, I've never seen, and yet, he knows just enough of his Bible to be dangerous to those who think they know more - including the church secretary, Pete's sister, Grace Ann. He regularly shines the light of God's grace, on Grace Ann's judgmental thinking. He tells off the old lady who has been holding the church hostage as their largest benefactor, making her pull her membership but then, he comes up with a way to make the money they need without Mrs. Millstone's (ironic, much?) help.

I also loved Pete. He does his best, but he's not a bartender, which becomes painfully obvious his first night with a packed house for Monday Night Football. He learns that Hank's job involves as much "counseling" as his job as pastor. He also connects with the woman he's been longing for from afar for months. Her plight brings out every protective instinct he has, and she's way better at bartending than he is, so hiring her seems smart but it's Hank's business. Will he agree?

I loved the scenes at the Christmas party Pete throws at the tavern. I also loved the scenes at the Christmas Eve church service, when all of the tavern regulars show up in all their "glory" and treat the Christmas story as an interactive event - yelling at the innkeeper who turns Joseph and Mary away to sleep in the stables. This made me giggle.

Readers who love Debbie Macomber's take on Christmas and a lovely romance (or two) will love this book. It's a sweet read - nothing I saw was too racy. It's a grandma telling an "in the beginning" story to her grandchildren, so kissing is the most the characters do (and every time that happens, the grandson covers his ears.) I read this in two sittings, but it can easily be read in one day. I definitely recommend!

I honestly don't think it would feel like Christmas without one of Debbie's holiday books. This one explores two friends that decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve.

One is a Pastor and one is a Bartender, both filling peoples needs in a different capacity. Actually, like they say try to walk in someone elses shoes, it is never as easy as it seems and puts everything, including love, in a new perspective .

Debbie knows how to touch your soul, it was like a breath air.

Find out for yourself the magic of Debbie Macomber

(copy also to Goodreads)

The Christmas Spirit by beloved author, Debbie Macomber… the perfect book to kick off your holiday reading! A sweet "once upon a time" story told by a grandmother to her grandchildren. The twist is that her "story" really did happen once upon a time. Two best friends, each thinking the other has it easier than they do, trade places. One swaps out his stressful and busy pastorship for running his best friends bar, and the bartending friend leaves behind his
late night hours and nonstop work for what he thinks will be it'll be the easy job of being a pastor. The swap takes place right before Christmas and is set to last less than a week but the life lessons and positive changes for each man as well as others around them will stick with them all for a lifetime. The Spirit of Christmas will surely get you all in the spirit for Christmas!

I LOVED this book! I devoured it in a day.
The way the story was told was so heart warming and cozy. It put me in the Christmas Spirit and makes me want to spend time with my family and friends while decorating my house for The holidays.

What says the holidays more than a Debbie Macomber Christmas story!?! This is a gorgeous little Christmas story packed with all the good stuff for the holiday season in the typical Debbie Macomber style.! Seriously, you could not ask for much more than what this book gives! It’s sweet, it’s festive, it will melt your heart, and it will put you into the Christmas and holiday mood quickly. I look forward to her books each year and this one does not disappoint!