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!

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.