It is one of the lesser sung virtues of the holiday season.

From June through this past weekend, each day was incrementally 'shorter' than the last. Shorter in terms of the duration of actual daylight compared to the same quantity of moonlight.

Typically, many of us grow depressed by this. Like many other creatures on this fine Earth, as living things we need that sunlight more than many of us readily concede.

As we rush from store to store and place to place, participating in the rituals of this holiday time of year, however, the early arrival of the night becomes less oppressive.

With the arrival of December, communities like this one, all across the world, become awash in light -- the glow of Chanukah candles, Christmas trees, lighted walks, and such.

The atmosphere, in a phrase, becomes electric.

And then, almost without our knowing, the world begins its inexorable march toward spring.

Throughout history, many religious connotations have been attached to this time of year; many secular festivities have been planned to warm the hearts left cold and saddened by the disappearance of the autumn leaves in November; but to us, it seems, the light's the thing.

And while we'll bask in the season's glad tidings, we take heart in springtime's being just a scant few months away.

How good it will be to soon leave work in the early evening and be able to greet the daylight once again.

Daniel J. McCue