El Nino ascendant, winds have been blowing across the United States more strictly west to east than a familiar winter would require — so December, with just one exception early on, has been mild. Fifteen-day forecasts show a few signs of arctic air by Christmas. If that doesn't turn out, we look to a pair of truths: there is still much to see, and, even if there weren't, the twenty-fifth of the month is about more than traditions of northern climes.