This is the season of renewal.

One year ends. Another starts.

At the turn of the calendar, it’s common for columnists like me to make predictions about what the future may or may not be, or alternatively, offer reasons for hope to disillusioned readers amidst all the hurt and heartache.

I have to admit that, as a writer, I’ve always hated engaging in either chore. The former seems to me like a meaningless endeavor, because playing fortune teller is a foolish act of arrogance. The second is more disturbing, especially when the elusive “silver lining” seems so far out of reach that it has disappeared and become insignificant.

This year, like last year, will be remembered because we have had to watch – bereft and helpless – as Palestinians continue to fall victim to genocide orchestrated by an apartheid regime controlled by an insatiable lust for murder, and enabled by hypocrites who insist they are messengers. Stand firm for the Lord. Human rights and international law.

Day after terrible day, the Palestinians suffer the harsh consequences of this miserable trick. The number of Palestinian deaths and injuries is beyond belief. The manner of their death also defies belief.

Day after terrible day, Palestinians imprisoned on their shattered land face two fates: They will die a sudden and violent death – victims of Israeli drones, bombs and snipers. Or they will die a slow and painful death – victims of famine, disease, cold and rain.

Hope, in this inhuman context, is a conceited fantasy. Or so I thought.

Then I came to the Christmas sermon Delivered Written by Palestinian Christian pastor and theologian Pastor Munther Ishaq to his flock in Bethlehem.

Pastor Isaac’s twenty-minute speech was a frank condemnation of the architects of the genocide and an eloquent plea not to give up hope – no matter how strained.

As I listened, my mind and heart oscillated between faith and disbelief.

I am not a man of prayer, so I was inclined to dismiss Pastor Isaac’s pleas – despite their penetrating power and clear conviction – as unrealistic, bordering on fantasy.

I was skeptical.

As Pastor Isaac’s sermon reached its upbeat climax, I had an epiphany. If a bereaved Palestinian can make a sliver of light despite the prevailing darkness, then I can too.

I think Pastor Isaac’s intention was to reassure the rest of us – whether believers or non-believers – that hope is present and lasting; It cannot be extinguished by the promoters of death and destruction.

Resistance can take many forms. However, for resistance to succeed, it must be motivated by the hope that a future free of want and oppression is not only possible, but inevitable, as history confirms.

So, what did Pastor Isaac say to move me from gloomy pessimist to cautious optimist?

He began with this poignant reminder. “Christ is still under the rubble,” Pastor Isaac said.

The pastor was alluding to a nativity scene he had set up at his church a year ago that showed a newborn Christ wrapped in a keffiyeh and surrounded by the wreckage of relentless genocide at the hands of Israel.

The symbolism is unmistakable. Christ and the Palestinians are one. They share the same circumstances and providence. Just as Christ suffered at the hands of vengeful kings who condemned him to death, so too did the Philistines suffer.

“[Donald] Trump said that if the hostages were not released in January, there would be “hell to pay.” It really is hell. What is he talking about? Pastor Isaac said. “It is already difficult to believe that another Christmas is upon us and that the genocide has not stopped.”

Pastor Ishaq said that despite all the grief, loss and hardships, the humanity of the Palestinians remained unbroken.

“It was also 440 days of resilience and even beauty,” he said. “Yes. I think of all the heroes in Gaza. The doctors. The paramedics. The nurses. The first responders. The volunteers. Those who sacrifice everything for their fellow human beings.”

Pastor Ishaq also praised teachers and musicians who teach and play music to “bring smiles” to traumatized Palestinian children in the devastated remains of Gaza.

“Yes, the loss is huge,” Pastor Isaac said. But we have not lost our faith and our collective humanity. This is the beauty I’m talking about.”

Pastor Isaac appealed to each one of us not to succumb to resignation, apathy or despair because “numbness is a betrayal of humanity.”

Instead, he said, “We should not rest or feel bored. Doing so means abandoning not only the people of Gaza, but also our humanity. This is why we must continue to talk about Gaza…and the systematic oppression and killing until it stops.”

Pastor Ishaq said that the “war criminals” and their accomplices responsible for the atrocities committed against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank “must be held accountable.”

“Instead of being confronted with justice, they are being confronted [applause] In the halls of Congress and defended by European parliaments. They still dare to lecture us about human rights and international law.”

Pastor Isaac, of course, is right in both disgraceful cases.

“The genocide will end one day,” he added. But history will remember where the people stood. History will remember what they said. “They cannot claim that they do not know.”

Once again, Pastor Isaac is right. We will remember.

Meanwhile, Pastor Isaac is convinced that: “From among the rubble, a plant of life will emerge, heralding a new dawn. Ensure a harvest where justice and reform will flourish. The vine will bear fruit that will nurture generations to come.”

It will take hard work and patience, but I agree that the coming harvest will indeed flourish, and the vine of “justice and reform” will in time bear ripe and abundant fruit.

Pastor Ishaq said: “We have not and will not lose hope.” “Yes, it is 76 years of ongoing Nakba, but it is also 76 years of Palestinians Come here [steadfastness]We adhere to our rights and the justice of our cause.”

Pastor Isaac ended his sermon with this biblically based warning that was borne out in South Africa, among other places, where another apartheid state was eventually defeated.

“Every Herod will pass away, every Caesar will fade away, because empires have an expiration date…And let us remember that according to Jesus, it is the meek, not the strong, who will inherit the earth.”

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera.