Mission Possible - Special Agent Christmas Rotation

We had a ton of fun pulling off a themed Christmas rotation that focused on the story of Jesus' birth and also let our students take on the role of special agents!  Our boys were especially excited about this rotation and still talk about it months later.

Some of our ideas were modified from other ideas posted on the rotation website but we found that grouping them all together in the "mission" theme gave them a little extra wow factor.

Here's how we did it...

(Summary) Why Mission Possible:

This rotation is part of a 3-workshop themed lesson focusing on the Mission of Christmas. Children are learning about God’s great mission to send His son and they are learning it with a creative “twist”. Instead of Mission Impossible, think Mission Possible! Children will be engaging in special agent activities - discovering how Mary accepted an assignment from God, learning about God’s ultimate mission to save the world and also thinking about what their mission is as current followers of Jesus. 

Setting the Stage:

• all of our volunteers came dressed up as special agents (suitcases, spy gear, camouflage, black suits, identification cards, fingerprinting kits, lazer exposing powder, etc.)
• Students each receive a file folder with "top secret" stamped across the front
• Students received sheets to go in their folders top secret agent folders
• Students/Leaders stayed in character as secret agents - we even did army crawls and quick running between classes to keep hidden from people passing by
• Students received secret message decoders stapled on a string inside of their folders (http://www.3dglassesdirect.com...ret_Reveal_Lens.html)

Lesson sketches below:

Special Agent Workshop:

We can be special agents for God too!

Supplies:

• Students each receive a file folder with "top secret" stamped across the front
• Students received sheets to go in their folders top secret agent folders
• secret message decoders stapled on a string inside of their folders (http://www.3dglassesdirect.com...ret_Reveal_Lens.html)
• Special Agent costume photo props
• polaroid camera and film
• tape
• stamp pad (for finger printing)
• colouring page of a secret agent (not included, do an internet search)
• crayons/markers

Activity Overview: 

You will be welcoming students to God’s Special Agent Recruitment office where you are the head recruiter. Students will be filling out their own personal Special Agent File and having their identification photo taken.

In your classroom you will find a small collection of Special Agent costume props along with a polaroid camera and film. Students may select any items they wish for their special agent identification photograph (ONLY ONE PHOTO PER STUDENT). Take head shots of each child and once developed, tape them onto their Special Agent File.

There is also a stamp pad in your room for fingerprinting the early elementary - upper elementary students.

Preschool/Kindergarten Notes: 

Explain to this age that Mary was a special agent for God during the very first Christmas. God asked Mary to be the mother of Jesus and she accepted that very special mission. Tell students that we can be special agents for God just like Mary was!! Hand out the sheets that display a colouring page of a special agent along with a secret message decoder. Explain how to use the decoder and have them find the words that correspond with the explanations below. This age cannot read but you can tell them what the words in each circle are.

Explain to this age what being a special agent for God means:

• We can listen for God’s voice. Have students put a hand around their ear. Mary listened to the angel that God sent her. Explain that we can listen to what God wants to tell us by reading the Bible.
• We can follow God’s directions. Have children walk in place. Mary followed God’s directions to have a baby and to name Him Jesus. Explain that the Bible teaches us how God wants us to live.
• We can tell others about Jesus. Have children use their hands like a megaphone around their mouths. Mary had baby Jesus in Bethlehem and she welcomed all the shepherds and angels to come and meet Him. Explain that God wants us to tell others about Jesus too and to help others to get to know who Jesus is.

Have the students begin colouring their pages. As they colour you can have one student at a time come and choose a costume and take their photo. If time allows students can take turns showing their photo.

Early Elementary Notes: 

Explain to this age that Mary was a special agent for God during the very first Christmas. God asked Mary to be the mother of Jesus and she accepted that very special mission. Tell students that we can be special agents for God just like Mary was!! Hand out the single-sided special agent form and walk through the form together by explaining that we too can be special agents for God. Have students fill in the form and then explain to this age what being a special agent for God means (have students use their secret decoders to read each task required for being a special agent):

• We can listen for God’s voice. Mary listened to the angel that God sent her. Ask students to share ideas of how we can listen for God’s voice (Read the Bible, listen to our pastor, parents, sunday school teachers or others who love God)
• We can obey God’s commands. Mary followed God’s commands to have a baby and to name Him Jesus. In addition to this the Bible also told us that Mary had found favor in God’s eyes. That must have meant that Mary lived a life that pleased God. Ask students to share examples of God’s commandments. Explain to students that special agents have to do what their bosses ask them to!
• We can tell others about Jesus. Mary had baby Jesus in Bethlehem and she welcomed all the shepherds and angels to come and meet Him. Explain that God’s biggest mission is to save the world and the way He did that was by sending His son Jesus. God wants everyone to know about Jesus - what are some ways we can tell others about Jesus?

After you have walked through the conversation above and filled in the special agent forms have students pose for their identification photographs. Explain that being a special agent for God is truly a special calling. If students would like to take on this special mission to listen for God’s voice, Obey God’s command and Tell others about Jesus have them add their fingerprint to their page. 

If you have time at the end, consider using some of the questions that appear on the back of the upper elementary special agent form as discussion topics.

Upper Elementary Notes: 

Explain to this age that Mary was a special agent for God during the very first Christmas. God asked Mary to be the mother of Jesus and she accepted that very special mission. Tell students that we can be special agents for God just like Mary was - our mission may look different but God has a plan for our lives too!! Hand out the double - sided special agent form along with some pens/pencils and explain to the students that they must take some time to fill in their special agent form. 

 Have students fill in the form using their secret message decoders and explain that they will be sharing some of their answers with the class at the end. Time is of the essence so they must work fast!

 As students are filling in their forms you can have one student at a time come and pose for their identification photographs.

 After all photos have been taken, gather together and have several students share some of their answers given on their forms.

 Explain that being a special agent for God is truly a special calling. If students would like to take on this special mission to listen for God’s voice, Obey God’s command and Tell others about Jesus have them add their fingerprint to the bottom of the back page. 

Mission Mary Lesson:

• Mary's Mission Fill-In Sheet
• Mary's Mission Secret Messages compressed.pdf
• red yarn, chairs
• strobe lights
• timer