By now you’ve likely heard or read the forecast that the chance for snow on Dec. 25 is highly improbable. In fact, so far the National Weather service recording states that the only clouds will be for rain, and temperatures will be the 80s on Christmas Eve and the lower 70s on Christmas Day.

Oh, you can play “White Christmas” or “Winter Wonderland” all you like, but I’m confident in writing that doing so will not persuade the Snow Gods to intervene.

I believe in miracles as much as the next person, but this really isn’t the occasion to squander such a grace.

Meanwhile, if you really need to see snow that day, then keep this image close by. I captured the scene from my balcony last winter in beautiful and historic downtown Suffolk. Beautiful, isn’t it?

In fact, think of this picture as my gift to you. Cut out the image and put it on your refrigerator or freezer door. Not only will it delight during the coming week or so, but could also serve to cool you down in mid-July. When the real winter weather comes later, I’ll provide something warm and colorful to get you through the teeth-clattering cold and bare branches.

Really, though, you don’t need a few inches of powder blanketing the yard to make Christmas complete.

As you long as you have family. As long as you have friends. Even as long as you have yourself for excellent company, you’ve got the best gift.

STEPHEN H. COWLES is a staff writer for The Tidewater News. The only thing he wants for Christmas is all of you to travel safely this season and all the rest of 2016. Contact him at 562-3187 or stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com.