“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
His Name is Wonderful!
by Shannon Pederson
One Christmas morning in the 1950s, Audrey May Mieir was seated in church, enjoying a children's holiday performance. She was so enthralled by the beauty and festivity of the day that she was only half listening when the pastor opened his Bible to Isaiah 9:6 and began to read. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
As the pastor's voice spoke the words: “His Name Shall be Called Wonderful,” Audrey's spirit jumped within her and she began to hear a melody forming in her mind. She quickly wrote down these four lines, on the flyleaf of her Bible:
One Christmas morning in the 1950s, Audrey May Mieir was seated in church, enjoying a children's holiday performance. She was so enthralled by the beauty and festivity of the day that she was only half listening when the pastor opened his Bible to Isaiah 9:6 and began to read. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
As the pastor's voice spoke the words: “His Name Shall be Called Wonderful,” Audrey's spirit jumped within her and she began to hear a melody forming in her mind. She quickly wrote down these four lines, on the flyleaf of her Bible:
His Name is Wonderful
His Name is Wonderful
His Name is Wonderful
Jesus my Lord
His Name is Wonderful
His Name is Wonderful
Jesus my Lord
Audrey Mieir, ordained minister, gifted musician, worship leader and promoter of other Christian musicians, felt she was used by God to write this chorus that has become a favorite in the gospel field. She tells the story of its writing this way:
“Christmas came on Sunday that year and for once His birth seemed more important to everyone than toys and presents. Fragrant pine boughs perfumed the air in our little Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California. A kind of hushed expectancy filled the place as ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ swelled from the organ. All heads were bowed, eyes were closed, and an occasional tear rolled down a wrinkled cheek - remembering 50, 60, even 70 other Christmases, thankful for the love of God and family, their presents and His presence! Little children sat impatiently anticipating the re-creation of the old, old story, their eyes sparkling, reflecting Christmas tree lights, not wanting to miss anything including the Christmas play, and afterward, the dinner and presents which were stacked and waiting.
The curtain opened. There it was as it would be depicted countless times that day, the humble manger scene. Mary was a shy teenager, cheeks flushed with excitement, holding someone’s baby doll close in her arms. A young Joseph hovered over her, his smooth face discreetly hidden in old drapery. A beautiful angel glittered and shone, out-brillianced only by the flashing smile for mom and dad in aisle two. Her halo had slipped precariously to one side. Eleven-year-old shepherds shuffled down the aisle with unmistakable reticence, their jeans peeking out from under dad’s old robe.
The procession halted and the choir sang, “Sleep in heavenly peace.” The pastor’s voice filled the small church – “His name is wonderful,” he said with his hands lifted heavenward. And I heard the familiar rustling of angel wings. I did not know at that strangely moving moment that a once-in-a-lifetime experience was about to happen. As I grabbed my old Bible and wrote in it, more than with any other of my songs, I felt as if I were only a channel, as if I were not otherwise involved.”
That afternoon, Mieir taught the song to several young people, who then sang it for the evening service. The song was a hit!
Afterwards, a friend suggested there must be more to the song. As. Mieir explains, “I had been told that it was a good song but there just wasn’t enough of it. Maybe I could write a bridge for it. I was just on my way to lunch. After I ordered my hamburger, I began to think about the song and so I opened my Bible there in the booth and began to run my finger down the list of names given to Jesus in the Scripture. I wrote them down on my napkin. After I returned to the office, I went to the piano and finished the song.”
“Christmas came on Sunday that year and for once His birth seemed more important to everyone than toys and presents. Fragrant pine boughs perfumed the air in our little Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California. A kind of hushed expectancy filled the place as ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ swelled from the organ. All heads were bowed, eyes were closed, and an occasional tear rolled down a wrinkled cheek - remembering 50, 60, even 70 other Christmases, thankful for the love of God and family, their presents and His presence! Little children sat impatiently anticipating the re-creation of the old, old story, their eyes sparkling, reflecting Christmas tree lights, not wanting to miss anything including the Christmas play, and afterward, the dinner and presents which were stacked and waiting.
The curtain opened. There it was as it would be depicted countless times that day, the humble manger scene. Mary was a shy teenager, cheeks flushed with excitement, holding someone’s baby doll close in her arms. A young Joseph hovered over her, his smooth face discreetly hidden in old drapery. A beautiful angel glittered and shone, out-brillianced only by the flashing smile for mom and dad in aisle two. Her halo had slipped precariously to one side. Eleven-year-old shepherds shuffled down the aisle with unmistakable reticence, their jeans peeking out from under dad’s old robe.
The procession halted and the choir sang, “Sleep in heavenly peace.” The pastor’s voice filled the small church – “His name is wonderful,” he said with his hands lifted heavenward. And I heard the familiar rustling of angel wings. I did not know at that strangely moving moment that a once-in-a-lifetime experience was about to happen. As I grabbed my old Bible and wrote in it, more than with any other of my songs, I felt as if I were only a channel, as if I were not otherwise involved.”
That afternoon, Mieir taught the song to several young people, who then sang it for the evening service. The song was a hit!
Afterwards, a friend suggested there must be more to the song. As. Mieir explains, “I had been told that it was a good song but there just wasn’t enough of it. Maybe I could write a bridge for it. I was just on my way to lunch. After I ordered my hamburger, I began to think about the song and so I opened my Bible there in the booth and began to run my finger down the list of names given to Jesus in the Scripture. I wrote them down on my napkin. After I returned to the office, I went to the piano and finished the song.”
His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King, master of everything,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He's the Great Shephard, The Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is he,
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King, master of everything,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
He's the Great Shephard, The Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is he,
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.
Mieir wrote more than 1,000 songs, most of them gospel music. Some of them were children's songs and educational songs. She also founded two orphanages in Korea and facilitated adoptions for U. S. families. She was blessed with a wonderful talent and shared that gift with the world.
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:7
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:7