An interesting comment about an interesting phenomenon. We live at about 40 degrees north. At that latitude, the day of the earliest sunset is December 8. Of course as you mention, the day of the solstice is on December 21 (or a day or two before or after). That is the day upon which we will have the least total hours of daylight and the most hours of night. We learn that in grade school. But because the Earth wobbles a bit on its orbit around the Sun, the day of the earliest sunset is about 2 weeks prior to that. The total daylight hours continues to decrease a bit until the solstice, but starting on December 9 we shall experience more sunlight at the end of the day, and the daylight hours get longer again until the summer solstice. So, enjoy! The worst is nearly over. Next Monday means more light at the end of the day!!! :-)