We don't have to go any further than Genesis 1:27 as explained more particularly in Genesis 2:18 to establish our need for relationships.  Relationships empower us.  The greater the relationship the more we are empowered.  Not all "empowerment" is good.  Some relationships are definitely detrimental to our and society's well being.

The power from a relationship flows from the relationship.  The relationship doesn't change who we are so much as it changes our capability.  Consider the lowly battery driven weed whacker.  Give it a relationship with an 18 volt battery and it has some utility.  Give it a relationship with a 40 volt battery and it becomes a useful tool.  Switch to a lithium ion battery from a ni-cad battery and it's even more useful.

So the question is are we in the best relationship we can be in to be the most useful tool in the shed? 

Back when the King James Bible was written the relationship the common man was empowered by his relationship with the Lord of the Manor.  For many that was the best he or she could do.  Fortunately we have a relationship available to us that has the potential to make us all that we can be and I'm not talking about the Marines.  Early Quakers found empowerment in their relationship with one Jesus Christ who could speak to their condition.  This is a good time of year while the "Christian" World carries on its charade of celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth to strengthen our Quaker relationship with the Lord of Lord and King of Kings. ( There is no secret to strengthening relationships, it is all about communication.)

So instead of wishing you a Merry Christmas, I want to encourage you to be a source of merriment by allowing the love of God to flow out of you from your relationship with Him.  Now more than ever we live in a world in need of Joy, Peace and Love.  We can be the instrument of bringing them to the world.  Let others bring the Judgment and Condemnation, we were created for better things.  Remember to love your enemies.  If you are a democrat hug a republican and vice-versa.  Spend the rest of the year fasting from voicing political opinions and see how joyful you can be.:)