The father of LINDSAY LOHAN has reinvented himself as a biblical figure in a nativity play but insists JESUS could never compete with his beloved daughter.

Michael Lohan - who became a born-again Christian after spending 25 months behind bars for drunk-driving and assault - starred as Joseph in the one-off show in New York on Tuesday (18Dec07).

In tongue-in-cheek production Michael was asked to compare holding the holy infant with cradling Lindsay when she was born 21 years ago to which he replied, "I can’t compare baby Jesus to baby Lindsay!"

Michael then spent much of his time crouched in the hay alongside a revolving set of actresses playing Mary, during the production which was staged in a small park near the city’s famous Times Square.

Former stockbroker Lohan was reunited with his actress daughter earlier this year while she was in rehab.

Lindsay was not believed to have been present in the audience.