Little angel steals show in first nativity play by falling asleep during performance in Sunderland

It all became a bit much for the three-year-old. Credit: NCJ Media

Baby Jesus was not the only one asleep on the hay when the excitement of taking part in the school nativity play got a little too much for one angel.

Lily Rose Price had been so excited to take part in her first Christmas play that she had told all her family and friends that she was going to be playing an angel.

But when the moment finally arrived it all became a bit exhausting for the three-year-old, who decided a hay bale in a manger was the perfect place to lay down her sweet head.

Lily's mum, Rebecca Price, could not help but laugh when within minutes of the nativity beginning her daughter slid off the hay bale she was sat on, her halo fell over her eyes, and she remained asleep on the stage until the play came to an end.

The 35-year-old had taken the day off work to watch her daughter's first Christmas play. And it is one she says she will never forget, although not in the way she had expected.

The Ryhope mum said: "It's something to remember, that's for sure. Out of the whole class, everyone was participating and having fun while Lily was fast asleep on the floor."

"About five minutes in - maximum - she had slid off the hay bale onto the floor and her halo fell over her eyes and she literally just lay on the floor fast asleep for the rest of the nativity play."

"We thought it was absolutely hilarious and so did everyone else, as you can imagine. It's definitely one for the 18th or 21st birthday party", she added.

Lily Rose had been so excited to take part in her first Christmas play that she had told all her family and friends. Credit: NCJ Media

She said Lily eventually woke up as the play came to an end and parents started clapping and cheering for the children. She added that her teachers at Mill Hill Nursery School, in Sunderland also had a giggle and allowed Lily to go home after the performance to catch up on some sleep.

Lily has since been able to laugh about falling asleep during her school play. Ms Price said: "Lily's been laughing about it now and calling herself a 'silly narna'."

"When being an angel in the school nativity play is just too much you obviously need to just drop off to sleep and take a little rest from it all", she added.

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