December, named by the Romans, literally means the tenth month, because the Roman year began in March. For us, it marks the end of the year and the official beginning of winter.
During December, the sun rises and sets over the shortest day of the year, while Orion roams across the night sky with his dog Sirius. Our winter birds include the Hermit Thrush, who sings his flute-like melody in the forest, and the loons who cry on Lake Maumelle.
The coldest temperatures of the season lie ahead in January and February, but by the end of December the days will begin to grow longer, in the first sign that in the course of time, as the wheel of the year turns, spring will follow winter.