X-ray bright points (XBPs) are usually assumed to be isolated structures in
the solar atmosphere that are powered exclusively by magnetic reconnection
. We analyse a large XBP that does not satisfy this assumption. The XBP is
observed to be connected to an active region approximately 280 000 km away
by a magnetic loop. We find that the soft X-ray intensity and thermal energ
y of the XBP are very sensitive to the existence of the magnetic loop. Both
the intensity and energy decrease significantly at the times when the loop
disappears, indicating that the loop is a medium for energy transfer from
the active region to the XBP. We deduce that the mechanism for the energy t
ransfer is most likely to be Alfven or fast-mode magnetoacoustic waves crea
ted by photospheric motions in the active region. These waves can dissipate
energy at the density gradient between the XBP and the loop via phase mixi
ng or resonant absorption.