What do you think?
Rate this book
A Gift to Last: Can This Be Christmas? / Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
Can This Be Christmas?
On December 24, a crowded train is taking holiday travelers home for Christmas. But because of a snowstorm, this group of strangers ends up spending Christmas Eve together, stranded in a small New Hampshire station. Despite the cold and discomfort, they create an impromptu celebration that reminds them all what Christmas really means. A story that's destined to become a Christmas classic!
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
Greg Bennett hates Christmas. Divorced, virtually friendless and about to lose his business, he has no time for what he considers sentimental nonsense. It takes three wacky angels to show him the truth. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy shall follow him…until he learns what Christmas is all about! A return engagement by these popular angelic characters.
No one tells a Christmas story like Debbie Macomber!
On December 24, a crowded train is taking holiday travelers home for Christmas. But because of a snowstorm, this group of strangers ends up spending Christmas Eve together, stranded in a small New Hampshire station. Despite the cold and discomfort, they create an impromptu celebration that reminds them all what Christmas really means. A story that's destined to become a Christmas classic!
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
Greg Bennett hates Christmas. Divorced, virtually friendless and about to lose his business, he has no time for what he considers sentimental nonsense. It takes three wacky angels to show him the truth. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy shall follow him…until he learns what Christmas is all about! A return engagement by these popular angelic characters.
No one tells a Christmas story like Debbie Macomber!
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
About the author
Debbie Macomber
923 books21.3k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 5, 2020
I enjoyed this pair of Christmas novellas. 🎄❄🎄❄
In the first one “Can This Be Christmas” a group of travelers are stranded in a train depot by inclement weather and learn the true meaning of Christmas. Generous and heartwarming. In the second, Debbie Macomber’s angels return to help a scrooge right past mistakes. This guy… I have to say, took some time for me to warm to him. He’d done some pretty awful stuff. But I enjoyed the outcome in the end.
In the first one “Can This Be Christmas” a group of travelers are stranded in a train depot by inclement weather and learn the true meaning of Christmas. Generous and heartwarming. In the second, Debbie Macomber’s angels return to help a scrooge right past mistakes. This guy… I have to say, took some time for me to warm to him. He’d done some pretty awful stuff. But I enjoyed the outcome in the end.
October 31, 2026
Two delightful, heartwarming Christmas stories!
July 27, 2026
More like 3.5 stars. This is a cute book with two stories set around Christmas. The first is about a group of travelers stranded due to a snowstorm and how they discover the true meaning of Christmas. The second is about three angels who come to earth to help one angry, messed up man unravel the mistakes of his past. There is a glaring error in the second book. Greg is 60 years old. His mom died 10 years ago. They have the dates on her gravestone 1930-1989. So that means it is 1999. So she was 59 when she died. That means she was 9 when he was born, and he’s the baby. 🤪
October 5, 2017
Sweet story of train passengers stranded Christmas Eve, who find the Christmas spirit with a damaged tree, and carolers.
Angels Everywhere is the story of Greg Bennett who is divorced, friendless and about to lose his vineyard. Three, prone to trouble, angels help him to find the Christmas spirit.
Probably more like 3.5, but fun, light reading.
Angels Everywhere is the story of Greg Bennett who is divorced, friendless and about to lose his vineyard. Three, prone to trouble, angels help him to find the Christmas spirit.
Probably more like 3.5, but fun, light reading.
November 6, 2019
"A Gift to Last" by Debbie Macomber is 2 books in one about Christmas. The first book "Can This Be Christmas" was highly predictable but a nice, cute read. The 2nd book "Shirley, Goodness and Mercy" was the better of the 2, in my opinion. It was a story that could have gone a few different ways. I understand that it is actually #4 in a series and I hope to be able to read the other three stories.
May 10, 2020
A real good book that will remind you how good people are regardless of differences and circumstances. The only frustration I have is the 2nd story. It was great and realistic yet the last few chapters were hurried. I hope the author added more chapters, maybe an additional chapter regarding Phil and Greg's relationship.
Generally, this is a great book one may read anytime of the year not only during Christmas season.
Generally, this is a great book one may read anytime of the year not only during Christmas season.
December 7, 2023
I love reading fun, sappy, and hopefilled stories each December and this one did not disappoint. There are actually 2 stories in this 1 book, both very different from the other. But it's the working of the Spirit at Christmas time that changes people's minds, opinions, and hearts. Yes, these are a bit sappy, but it's just what we all need to be reminded of, that life, family and friends are what are the most important things in this life. I enjoyed these stories and I hope you will, too.
July 26, 2020
Forgiveness
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, the three Christmas Angels had a hard one this time that required all three of them. Greg had gathered a son, left the girl who fathered his son, married three times ( each of them looked like Janet), put his vineyard before everything else. Was there a chance to turn his life around, maybe with the help from heaven.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, the three Christmas Angels had a hard one this time that required all three of them. Greg had gathered a son, left the girl who fathered his son, married three times ( each of them looked like Janet), put his vineyard before everything else. Was there a chance to turn his life around, maybe with the help from heaven.
December 9, 2021
Two short stories, one about a group of strangers stranded at a train depot and finding the joy of Christmas. The second story features the much needed redemption of a man who’s been selfish and self centered. Those around him learn the power of forgiveness, as he learns the meaning of asking for forgiveness. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy have a way of convincing others to do the right thing.
October 29, 2022
the second story in the book involves angels 'Shirley, Goodness and Mercy' (remember the Bible verse?). Such delightful characters in this storyline and all the stories Debbie Macomber does of the angels. Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
December 22, 2017
Two sweet Christmas stories from Debbie Macomber go so well at the holiday season.
I truly enjoyed both stories with Can This Be Christmas being my favorite.
The 2 stories are quick reads and bring the spirit of Christmas.
I truly enjoyed both stories with Can This Be Christmas being my favorite.
The 2 stories are quick reads and bring the spirit of Christmas.
October 7, 2021
very uplifting
I like Debbie’s works, I’ve read MANY of her books and series over the years. They are predictable but in a good way. I’m at a place in my life that I want to look at the better side of life with hope and growth in the right direction. Thank you Debbie MacComber.
I like Debbie’s works, I’ve read MANY of her books and series over the years. They are predictable but in a good way. I’m at a place in my life that I want to look at the better side of life with hope and growth in the right direction. Thank you Debbie MacComber.
November 9, 2017
Not a fan of either book. too many stories going in inside a small book
December 27, 2018
too predicable - I usually enjoy Debbie's book - but not this one.
December 31, 2018
Another sweet one (well, two).
December 30, 2019
Good book. Light
August 12, 2020
Love it .a very heart warming story.
December 12, 2020
A very good book. Has too stories in it
December 15, 2021
A very good Christmas story
December 28, 2021
Can this be Christmas? Cute short story.
December 23, 2023
It was somewhat predictable and cheesy but I still enjoyed it all the same , even got me a little teary eyed .
January 9, 2024
Both of the novellas in this book were very entertaining!! A great Christmas time read!
November 27, 2020
Can this be Christmas?
3 stars
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
2 stars
3 stars
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
2 stars
August 17, 2011
This book combines two stories from Debbie Macomber: a stand alone focused on a group of stranded travellers and the fourth story in her Angels series (after A Season of Angels, The Trouble with Angels and Touched by Angels).
***Can This Be Christmas?***
A mismatched group of travellers have ended up on a packed train to Boston on Christmas Eve. Submariner Len is determined to get back to Texas to propose to his long-term girlfriend, recently widowed Cathy is heading to her daughter's for her first Christmas without her husband, salesman Matt is heading back to his family...if they're still waiting and Kelly and Nick are taking their baby daughter home. But when the train becomes stranded at a small New Hampshire station, the travellers must band together to recapture the true meaning of Christmas.
This is a cute story and is apparently inspired by an experience of the author's parents. I love snowbound settings so I was excited to read this. The whole story takes place over the course of two days as the travellers are stranded in a small town and opt to stay in the train depot so they won't miss the train leaving. The story is well written with a clever plot, but there are a lot of characters introduced very quickly so I found it a little hard to keep track. This is also a very short story (only 100 pages or so) so it's a very quick read. It is a great story for showing how the Christmas spirit can be captured by anyone regardless of circumstance if only they try.
Plot: 8/10; Characters: 8/10; Ending: 8/10; Enjoyment: 8/10
***Shirley, Goodness and Mercy***
The irrepressible angels are back in the role of prayer ambassadors again. This time the case is so dire all three have been assigned to work together. Greg Bennett hates Christmas. Mid-way through a divorce, friendless and on the brink of losing the vineyard he's spent 50 years building he has no time for sentimentality or the Christmas spirit. But Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are determined to help him recapture the joy of the season and fix his life.
I've really enjoyed the previous angel stories and was a little surprised to realise that the three angels would only have one prayer to answer. The previous books have dealt with three cases, but this is significantly shorter so I can understand the single focus. While I enjoyed the story it wasn't on par with the previous installments. Greg's backstory is presented briefly and ended up being info-dumped on the reader. I found his brother's attitude was incredibly annoying and stuck up. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy also don't get up to as many antics as usual which I really missed. I did like the ending as, while some parts were predictable, one aspect was unexpectedly realistic.
Plot: 8/10; Characters: 8/10; Ending: 8/10; Enjoyment: 7/10
****************************************************************************************************
All in all, this is a quick and easy read that's great for the Christmas season.
Average plot: 8/10
Average characters: 8/10
Average ending: 8/10
Average enjoyment: 7.5/10
Cover: 8/10
Overall: 39.5/50
***Can This Be Christmas?***
A mismatched group of travellers have ended up on a packed train to Boston on Christmas Eve. Submariner Len is determined to get back to Texas to propose to his long-term girlfriend, recently widowed Cathy is heading to her daughter's for her first Christmas without her husband, salesman Matt is heading back to his family...if they're still waiting and Kelly and Nick are taking their baby daughter home. But when the train becomes stranded at a small New Hampshire station, the travellers must band together to recapture the true meaning of Christmas.
This is a cute story and is apparently inspired by an experience of the author's parents. I love snowbound settings so I was excited to read this. The whole story takes place over the course of two days as the travellers are stranded in a small town and opt to stay in the train depot so they won't miss the train leaving. The story is well written with a clever plot, but there are a lot of characters introduced very quickly so I found it a little hard to keep track. This is also a very short story (only 100 pages or so) so it's a very quick read. It is a great story for showing how the Christmas spirit can be captured by anyone regardless of circumstance if only they try.
Plot: 8/10; Characters: 8/10; Ending: 8/10; Enjoyment: 8/10
***Shirley, Goodness and Mercy***
The irrepressible angels are back in the role of prayer ambassadors again. This time the case is so dire all three have been assigned to work together. Greg Bennett hates Christmas. Mid-way through a divorce, friendless and on the brink of losing the vineyard he's spent 50 years building he has no time for sentimentality or the Christmas spirit. But Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are determined to help him recapture the joy of the season and fix his life.
I've really enjoyed the previous angel stories and was a little surprised to realise that the three angels would only have one prayer to answer. The previous books have dealt with three cases, but this is significantly shorter so I can understand the single focus. While I enjoyed the story it wasn't on par with the previous installments. Greg's backstory is presented briefly and ended up being info-dumped on the reader. I found his brother's attitude was incredibly annoying and stuck up. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy also don't get up to as many antics as usual which I really missed. I did like the ending as, while some parts were predictable, one aspect was unexpectedly realistic.
Plot: 8/10; Characters: 8/10; Ending: 8/10; Enjoyment: 7/10
****************************************************************************************************
All in all, this is a quick and easy read that's great for the Christmas season.
Average plot: 8/10
Average characters: 8/10
Average ending: 8/10
Average enjoyment: 7.5/10
Cover: 8/10
Overall: 39.5/50
December 23, 2012
1. Can This Be Christmas?
This book is the first in a collection of two that make up A Gift to Last. It is written as a slice of life. Several strangers are stranded on Christmas Eve, prevented from arriving at their destinations. In telling this story, the author writes each person’s situation and thoughts prior to and during the time they are delayed.
Usually, I enjoy Debbie’s writing very much. She tells a great story, dipping deeply into problems and solving them in a very strong Christian way without becoming “sappy” with improbable answers. However, I felt very much that this book was very “sappy”. Each character had adult problems and issues, but the solutions were “sappy”. I never knew anyone like these people. I just felt that their responses and behaviors were very unrealistic, but then, I live in South Florida. Maybe people do behave like this elsewhere.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to anyone, unless they just want a lesson in how to present a “slice of life” form of writing and some character development.
2. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
This book was written after the previous one, and the two were combined and released as A Gift to Last. This one brings three angels to earth to help some people solve some serious problems they have in relationships. It is different from Can This Be Christmas?, yet in some ways it is similar.
The characters could easily be people we all know. They struggle with character flaws with which many of us also struggle. The events fall together so that, as is typical in Debbie’s early books, the ending is usually happy. This one leaves the reader hungry for a better solution in one case, though. The reader will have to wait for another story to find a more satisfying ending there.
I would recommend this book for light reading. There are some serious issues covered but the angels bring a lighter touch to the story. And, of course, it is good Christian reading.
This book is the first in a collection of two that make up A Gift to Last. It is written as a slice of life. Several strangers are stranded on Christmas Eve, prevented from arriving at their destinations. In telling this story, the author writes each person’s situation and thoughts prior to and during the time they are delayed.
Usually, I enjoy Debbie’s writing very much. She tells a great story, dipping deeply into problems and solving them in a very strong Christian way without becoming “sappy” with improbable answers. However, I felt very much that this book was very “sappy”. Each character had adult problems and issues, but the solutions were “sappy”. I never knew anyone like these people. I just felt that their responses and behaviors were very unrealistic, but then, I live in South Florida. Maybe people do behave like this elsewhere.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to anyone, unless they just want a lesson in how to present a “slice of life” form of writing and some character development.
2. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy
This book was written after the previous one, and the two were combined and released as A Gift to Last. This one brings three angels to earth to help some people solve some serious problems they have in relationships. It is different from Can This Be Christmas?, yet in some ways it is similar.
The characters could easily be people we all know. They struggle with character flaws with which many of us also struggle. The events fall together so that, as is typical in Debbie’s early books, the ending is usually happy. This one leaves the reader hungry for a better solution in one case, though. The reader will have to wait for another story to find a more satisfying ending there.
I would recommend this book for light reading. There are some serious issues covered but the angels bring a lighter touch to the story. And, of course, it is good Christian reading.
June 12, 2012
A Gift To Last by Debbie Macomber
2 stories about Christmas time.
Can this be Christmas? A handful of people have been rerouted from a plane to a train to get from Maine to Boston. They made it as far as New Hampshire and the train no longer can go further.
Rather than telling you about all the people involved I think this book is more about how the all come together and make the celebration a good one. How they can take
just the bare essentials and make them glorious. Not only do they each step up but the community come to the rescue as well as all of them are not going to make it home
for the holiday. The time also gives them each the hours they need to think things through to make changes in their lives, once they are back home.
Love how this story really happened, in a different location to Debbie's parent. I know Snoqualmie area and I can see this happening. Glad she can write such a touching story.
Love the knitting connections.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy by Debbie Macomber
Greg Bennett had to get a loan or he'd have to lay off his employees at the vineyard.
Sherry Adams meets him at the bar and he buys her a drink but she doesn't want to spend more time with him.
He ends up at church so he can think about his empty life. He had others who needed him but he had walked away. He may need to go see his brother and talk things over, apologize even, to get money he needed. He's treated his 3 wives terribly and the angels think they need to show him what christmas is all about.
He sees one of his ex wives and finds out he has a son but her husband has adopted Eddie. He now plans to meet him.
The angels also have to deal with a child that has leukemia. Others come to his aid trying to get others to
donate blood to see if they are a donor match. Other relatives of Greg need help and some of them can give help to Greg.
It's up to the angels to make it all happen.
2 stories about Christmas time.
Can this be Christmas? A handful of people have been rerouted from a plane to a train to get from Maine to Boston. They made it as far as New Hampshire and the train no longer can go further.
Rather than telling you about all the people involved I think this book is more about how the all come together and make the celebration a good one. How they can take
just the bare essentials and make them glorious. Not only do they each step up but the community come to the rescue as well as all of them are not going to make it home
for the holiday. The time also gives them each the hours they need to think things through to make changes in their lives, once they are back home.
Love how this story really happened, in a different location to Debbie's parent. I know Snoqualmie area and I can see this happening. Glad she can write such a touching story.
Love the knitting connections.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy by Debbie Macomber
Greg Bennett had to get a loan or he'd have to lay off his employees at the vineyard.
Sherry Adams meets him at the bar and he buys her a drink but she doesn't want to spend more time with him.
He ends up at church so he can think about his empty life. He had others who needed him but he had walked away. He may need to go see his brother and talk things over, apologize even, to get money he needed. He's treated his 3 wives terribly and the angels think they need to show him what christmas is all about.
He sees one of his ex wives and finds out he has a son but her husband has adopted Eddie. He now plans to meet him.
The angels also have to deal with a child that has leukemia. Others come to his aid trying to get others to
donate blood to see if they are a donor match. Other relatives of Greg need help and some of them can give help to Greg.
It's up to the angels to make it all happen.
October 10, 2011
This book had two stories in it.
Can This Be Christmas? It is Christmas Eve and all are trying to get home but are stuck in a train depot. Len, a navy sailer, wants to propose to his girl in Texas. Cathy is heading to spend Christmas with her daughter and grandkids, her first Christmas without her husband. Matt hasn't talked to his family on the west coast for a couple of days because of a spat with the wife about him traveling so close to the holidays. Kelly and Nick are on their way to her parents to show their off their new daughter, discovering that parenting isn't always easy. So here they are and what do they do? Read to see how the Christmas Spirit creeps in each of their hearts.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy. My favorite three angels at it again. Greg is as low as he can go but ends up in a church so the three girls are sent to earth again to see what they can do to help him. He's losing his winery, his family and three wifes are gone, does he have anything else? God loves him is just about it. So maybe Greg can change some wrongs into rights and find his son.
Another Debbie book that I love--especially reading Christmas stories during other times of the year.
My favorite line pg 134: "Where else in the universe would anyone assume God is dead and Elvis is alive?"
234 pages
Can This Be Christmas? It is Christmas Eve and all are trying to get home but are stuck in a train depot. Len, a navy sailer, wants to propose to his girl in Texas. Cathy is heading to spend Christmas with her daughter and grandkids, her first Christmas without her husband. Matt hasn't talked to his family on the west coast for a couple of days because of a spat with the wife about him traveling so close to the holidays. Kelly and Nick are on their way to her parents to show their off their new daughter, discovering that parenting isn't always easy. So here they are and what do they do? Read to see how the Christmas Spirit creeps in each of their hearts.
Shirley, Goodness and Mercy. My favorite three angels at it again. Greg is as low as he can go but ends up in a church so the three girls are sent to earth again to see what they can do to help him. He's losing his winery, his family and three wifes are gone, does he have anything else? God loves him is just about it. So maybe Greg can change some wrongs into rights and find his son.
Another Debbie book that I love--especially reading Christmas stories during other times of the year.
My favorite line pg 134: "Where else in the universe would anyone assume God is dead and Elvis is alive?"
234 pages
December 11, 2015
This book had two stories. The first, Can This Be Christmas, was about a group of travelers stranded at a train station waiting for tracks to be repaired. This group of strangers will become friends after a day and night of waiting. Some questions and observations: when the snow stopped, why couldn't Cathy's daughter come and pick her up at the station since she was about an hour or so away? Shouldn't there be a station master always on duty? How can Clayton just leave? Memories flood back as to how it used to be with no cell phones for communication or entertainment. Also pay phones, calling cards, and disposable cameras are used! I was continuously thinking of food and how these people didn't complain more. No pizza delivery? Chinese? McDonald's? Thank goodness for the Veteran's Women's Auxiliary!
Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy help a man who has lost his wine making vines due to a disease, and his relationship with his wife, brother, and cousin in this story.
Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy help a man who has lost his wine making vines due to a disease, and his relationship with his wife, brother, and cousin in this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews