Advent is a season of preparation, hope, and encounter. For musician Aly Aleigha, these themes come alive in her new song, Face to Face, written for Ascension's new Advent program with Fr. Mike Schmitz. Through a profound faith journey, inspired creativity, and collaboration with Fr. Mike Schmitz, Aly crafted a piece that encapsulates the essence of Advent—helping listeners prepare their hearts to meet the Lord. In this exclusive interview, Aly shares her story, her process, and the heartfelt meaning behind her music.

Aly Aleigha's Faith Journey 

Aly grew up in a deeply Catholic family. Regular Mass attendance, Catholic education, and family prayers all nurtured her faith. Her personal relationship with God transformed at a Steubenville Youth Conference.

“I really had a powerful experience coming face to face with Jesus in the Eucharist,” she shared. “The priest literally brought Jesus face to face with me, and there in his gaze, I felt more seen and known and loved than I could have imagined, even in the midst of my failures and mess.”

This moment ignited her faith and set her on a mission to lead others to Christ through music. Today, Aly has come full circle, singing at the same conferences that sparked her journey.

The Songwriting Process for Face to Face

The creation of Face to Face began during a youth camp led by Fr. Mike Schmitz, who invited Aly to write a song for his upcoming Advent series with Ascension. Aly turned to prayer and reflection, immersing herself in Fr. Mike’s words and Advent themes.

“Fr. Mike asked me to consider writing a song, and I recorded his thoughts into a voice memo. I sat with them, prayed, and eventually, the song flowed out within ten minutes. The preparation took the longest—which feels fitting for a song about preparing for Advent.”

Aly's preparation bore fruit in a melody she’d created months earlier, which resurfaced and became the heart of the song: “It would seem the Lord began working on this song through me even before I realized it," she said. 

Hope, Preparation, and Intimacy in the Song 

Aly’s hope for Face to Face is clear: to inspire listeners to embrace the journey of Advent and prepare their hearts for a profound encounter with Christ.

“I hope this song conveys that we can have hope in all circumstances and reminds us that God does not abandon us, even when we fail,” she said. “It’s about taking action to prepare our hearts to encounter the Lord in a very real way.”

The song transitions from energetic anticipation to peaceful intimacy, echoing the movement of Advent itself. Aly ties this beautifully to the nativity: “The line ‘cheek to cheek under the brightest star’ reflects the closeness of Mary holding baby Jesus and invites us to experience that same intimacy with the Lord.”

The Message Behind the Lyrics 

Each lyric in Face to Face is steeped in Scripture and spiritual reflection. The song opens with Fr. Mike’s mantra, “Can’t be ready unless you get ready,” calling listeners to remove obstacles between themselves and God. It references Isaiah 49:16—“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands”—reminding us of Christ’s constant love and presence.

Verse two explores the shift from “fear to fiat,” inspired by Mary’s courageous “yes” to God. “We glean courage from this reality,” Aly explained, “knowing God equips us with everything we need for his plans.”

The chorus reflects the quiet ways God works in our lives: “Often our hearts beg for concealing, but in his sweetest gaze, we can be drawn out of hiding to come before him face to face.”

Capturing the Spirit of Advent

In crafting the song’s structure, Aly mirrored the Advent journey. “Most songs build, but Face to Face begins with energy—reflecting life’s hustle and the movement toward preparation—then deescalates to peace, paralleling the moment of encountering Christ.”

She also found inspiration in her own life, drawing parallels between preparing for her wedding and preparing for Christ’s arrival during Advent. “That anticipation brought life to the song," she said. 

Where to Find Aly’s Music

As we prepare our hearts this Advent, Aly invites listeners to encounter Face to Face on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more. You can also hear it as part of Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Advent series on the Ascension App.

Through her music, Aly reminds us that Advent is more than a season—it’s a journey of hope, transformation, and intimate connection with Christ. “Embrace the journey,” she urges. “It culminates in achieving our greatest prize: coming Face to Face with the King.”

For more from Aly Aleigha, visit her at aly-aleigha.com or follow her on Instagram and Facebook @alyaleighamusic.

More Advent Content:

• The Ultimate Guide to Advent from Fr. Mike Schmitz 
• Is Advent in the Bible? 
• The 4 Advent Themes 
• Prayers for Advent