Deacon Says His Dazzling Christmas Light Display Has Led to 82 Marriage Proposals and Even a 'Miracle' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

The Rev Deacon Dave Rezendes welcomes visitors to Casa del Pomba.Photo:Courtesy of David Rezendes

Courtesy of David Rezendes

“He said everyone could see it from the window and he rented a car just to come to Livermore to see it,” Rezendes, 81, tells PEOPLE, adding that the man was not disappointed.

Since 1982, Rezendes and his helpers have built elaborate sets in his front yard and roof for the holidays. Locals have brought their children, and those children now bring their own families to see Deacon Dave’s massive display. On Thursday Dec. 5, his work will even be showcased on ABC’sThe Great Christmas Light Fight, which was filmed last year with the theme of “Through the Eyes of a Child.”

He says his team of 20 workers has some say in the designs, but he maintains “the papal veto.”

“The theme always has some kind of a story that it’s telling when you walk through the grounds,” Rezendes says.

There’s something magical and spiritual aboutCasa del Pomba, Rezendes' name for his home, which means “House of the Dove” in Portuguese.

For one, it’s been the backdrop for quite a few forever memories, thanks in part to a feature he calls the “proposal bridge.”

“There have been 82 marriage proposals over the years on that bridge under the lights,” he says.

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The 2023 display that will be featured on the ABC series Great Christmas Light Fight.Courtesy of David Rezendes

“They said, ‘We feel a miracle happened here,’ and I asked what they meant,” Rezendes says. “The  mother, with tears in her eyes, said afterward they had an appointment with the doctor and the tumor was gone. I was blown away when I heard that.”

The display is free for visitors, but there is a coin toss, a wishing pond and a donation box. The proceeds go to the local Santa’s Secret Service, which provides gifts to people of all denominations and is based at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Livermore.

“For 65 years, we’ve been giving to hospitals, rest homes, to the battered and the abused,” says Rezendes.

Additionally, there is a Santa mailbox, where all letters with a return address are answered. One year, Rezendes says a young boy was tugging on the robe he was wearing while greeting people and asked him to hand a letter to Santa.

“He said, ‘We don’t have a place to live so I don’t know if Santa can find me,’ ” Rezendes says.

Rezendes had an assistant find his parents, asking how they could reach them. Of course, Santa found that little boy and he got his toys — and more.

Drone view of the 2024 Christmas display.Courtesy of David Rezendes

“A couple of years back, I had a couple tell me that they were not religious, but there’s something special here under these lights,” Rezendes says. “And I thought, that’s why we are here.”

“I have theme trees like kitchen trees and a bath tree with miniature sinks and things,” Rezendes says.

The annual public display features a different theme each year, with intricate wooden and metal structures, and over 20 volunteers who help bring the display to life.

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When the tradition began back in 1982, shortly after he was assigned to St. Michael’s parish in Livermore, Rezendes celebrated the moment with a Christmas display of 2,000 lights in his driveway.

Over the years, the modest display became a staggering phenomenon — and a beloved community tradition. This year, hundreds turned out for the candlelight processional and reading of Genesis before the customary “Let there be light” flipping of the switch on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Opening night of the 2024 Christmas display.Courtesy of David Rezendes

But for Livermore’s beloved Deacon Dave, it has never been about big display bragging rights.“I wanted to do something for people of all faiths or no faith,” Rezendes says. “The team members are volunteers from all walks of life, all faiths and I think that’s a good mix and is very important. They all share that big passion for Christmas that I have.”

The Great Christmas Light Fightairs Thursdays in December on ABC with episodes available to stream the next day on Hulu.

source: people.com