When I chose this off-beat Westbow release, I wasn't sure what to expect. The truth is, I've almost never laughed so much in my life as I did reading this book. Tears streamed from my eyes. I tremendously enjoyed this lighthearted Christmas tale about a bumbling Lutheran pastor with a church to reinvent--so much did I enjoy it that I actually BOUGHT the paperback immediately after, which I almost never do. The book is really that entertaining. Bill Sanders, a struggling young pastor with a list of church failures, is given one last opportunity by the local Bishop to prove that he is qualified for ministry. The mission- Holy Nativity, the poor , run-down, orange-doored laughing stock of a small Pennsylvania community. Armed with his trusty dog Bing and the inspiring memories of his mega- church father, he heads to Holy Nativity and into far more than he bargained for.

Bill was utterly relatable throughout, whether it was his wheezing, shrieking heating unit, Ned Welch’s stingy objections to any and every plan, or the canceling of the Corned Beef and Beer Festival. Yes, beer, pumped merrily in a Lutheran church while Sonja, the deaf and eccentric organist, plays a rousing accompaniment. The author doesn’t protectively gloss over the faults of the congregation- the petty jealousy, the rumors, the sermon ‘feedback’, the stingy salary. But he is completely fair about Bill’s shortcomings as well, especially his pitiful sermon skills--and his appearance, which is the cause of constant refusals from women who are young, old and very old. Over all, it was hilarious and subtly creative. A recommended read for anyone with a sense of humor.

I was given this book by BookLookBloggers in exchange for my honest review. ( )