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

• Affectionately known as “Deacon Dave,” David Rezendes is a fourth-generation Livermore, California resident who has been building elaborate Christmas displays in his backyard for over 40 years.
• What started as a small elf village with 2,000 lights has grown into a massive display of over 900,000 lights that attracts visitors from all over the Bay Area and beyond
• “A few years ago, I had a couple tell me they weren’t religious, but there’s something special here under these lights,” Rezendes tells PEOPLE, “and I thought, that’s why we’re here.”

Deacon Dave Rezendes remembers the time a stranger came to see his Christmas lights after flying into the Bay Area. As they passed, the pilot told the passengers to look out the window to see a gleaming house in Livermore.

“He said everybody 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 backyard and on his roof for the holidays. Locals brought their kids, and those kids are now bringing their own families to see Deacon Dave’s massive lineup. On Thursday, December 5, his work will even be shown on ABC The Great Battle of Christmas Lightswhich was recorded last year with the theme “Eyes of a Child”.

He says his team of 20 workers has an influence on the designs, but he sticks to the “papal veto”.

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

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

For one thing, it’s been the backdrop for several timeless 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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Screen in 2023 to be featured in the ABC series Great Christmas Light Fight.

Courtesy of David Rezendes

As if that wasn’t incredible enough, last year, he says, a young couple came to the home, looked for him, and they picked up a child in their arms. They asked him if he remembered them. It’s not. They then told them that they had brought their baby to see the lights the previous year, after the child had been diagnosed with cancer.

“They said, ‘We feel like a miracle has happened here,’ and I asked what they meant,” says Rezendes. “After that, the mother said with tears in her eyes that they had a doctor’s examination and that the tumor had disappeared. I was delighted when I heard that.”

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The exhibition is free to visitors, but there is a coin toss, a wishing pond and a donation box. Proceeds go to the local Secret Service Santa, which gives gifts to people of all faiths and is located at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Livermore.

“For 65 years we have been giving to hospitals, resorts, the battered and the abused,” says Rezendes.

In addition, there is a Santa Claus mailbox, where all letters with a return address are answered. One year, Rezendes says, the boy pulled on the cape he was wearing while greeting people and asked him to deliver a letter to Santa.

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

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

A drone view of the 2024 Christmas display.

Courtesy of David Rezendes

“A few years ago I had a couple who told me they weren’t religious, but here under these lights there is something special,” says Rezendes. “And I thought, that’s why we’re here.”

Rezendes is single, but his mom, Norma, 101, lives nearby and still cooks, bakes and gardens — and helps with the Christmas cheer. In addition to one tree in his yard, which is more than 23 feet tall and covered in 1,000 ornaments, there are 44 other Christmas trees inside.

“I have themed trees like kitchen trees and bathtub trees with miniature sinks and stuff,” says Rezendes.

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Many of his creations can be seen by visitors as they pass by the house’s large windows.

The annual public exhibition has a different theme each year, with intricate wooden and metal structures and more than 20 volunteers helping to bring the exhibition to life.

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

Over the years, the humble display has become a stunning phenomenon – and a beloved community tradition. This year, hundreds turned out for a candlelight procession and a reading of Genesis before the usual “Let there be light” flipping of the switch on Saturday, November 30.

Opening night of the 2024 Christmas exhibition.

Courtesy of David Rezendes

But for beloved Livermore Deacon Dave, it’s never been about showing off at the big shows. “I wanted to do something for people of all faiths or non-believers,” says Rezendes. “The team members are volunteers from all walks of life, all religions, and I think it’s a good combination and it’s very important. They all share the great passion for Christmas that I have.”

The Great Battle of Christmas Lights airs Thursdays in December on ABC with episodes available to watch the next day on Hulu.

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