When And How Was Old Christmas Eve Celebrated On The Isle Of Mann?

January the fourth -Shenn Oie- Nollick or Old Christmas Eve was regarded as the first night of the Christmas holidays.
Tradition dicatated that the spinning wheel must be 'put away', the making of nets or jeebin was to stop and no work must be done until after 6 January ( Laa Giense). It was even comsidered sinful by some to do work during this time.
Old Christamas Day Eve was said, by many, to be  a time of  'happenings' and wonders.
Bees were said to leave their hive on this night, bullocks were seen to fall down on their knees on this evening.
Myrrh ( Sweet Cicely) was said to bloom. The latter could be true. The climate on the island is reletively mild and it is possible that the Sweet Cicely did bloom around that time.
As to why bullocks knelt and bees flew - this will probably remain as part of Manx folk-lore and tradition.