The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber: Book Review

The Christmas Spirit is a fun look at two men who swap their usual occupations and bartender and pastor for the week prior to Christmas. I enjoyed it!

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From The Publisher:

Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn’t be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.

When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other’s work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light–and each discovers a new love to cherish–their lives are forever changed.

In The Christmas Spirit, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all.

My Thoughts:

Debbie Macomber is one of my favourite authors and I’ve come to count on her to bring entertaining and joyous Christmas books each year. Christmas Spirit is her new book for 2022 and she notes that this book was one of her favourites to write.
The story is narrated by a Grandmother telling her Grandchildren a holiday story. There are comments made by these two children that are sweet and bring a unique quality to the book.

Pete and Hank are best friends are lead very different lives. Pete is a pastor while Hank is a bartender. While they both provide service to their community, the individuals they serve are very different.

Pete challenges Hank to swap roles for a week as Pete’s perception of Hank’s occupation is that he has it easy. What they both learn in this week of living and working in the other’s role is a new respect for what the other does.

There are some very funny moments throughout this week and several romances along the way. I love the message of accepting others and coming together during the holidays. Indeed this book is aptly named.

I recommend this book to those that enjoy a sweet and entertaining holiday read.

What I Liked:

• The key messages in the book
• The use of humour throughout the book
• The way the story is communicated from Grandmother to her Grandchildren

Other Books I’ve Reviewed by Debbie Macomber:

Dear Santa

Jingle All The Way

A Mrs Miracle Christmas