CORRECTION: Rabbi Noach Kosofsky was misidentified as Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky, his brother. Both men attended the menorah lighting ceremony. The story below has been corrected.

Updates story published at 6:37 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16.

SPRINGFIELD

— City Councilor

Bud Williams

said he wasn't engaging in religious triumphalism when he uttered "

Jesus is the reason for the season

" at Tuesday afternoon's Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony in Springfield.

Williams, a Baptist, made the remark during a Court Square event attended by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal, city dignitaries, and leaders of the greater Springfield Jewish community, all of whom gathered at the downtown park to mark the Dec. 16 start of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights.

"I thought it added something to the service, it didn't take away," Williams said Tuesday night.

The city councilor said he referenced Jesus Christ, whose birth is celebrated every Dec. 25 by Christians worldwide but not by Jews, after participants in the ceremony mentioned "the bright light" of 2,000 years ago – an allusion to Christ, according to Williams.

"They said it," Williams said.

The councilor said his remark wasn't meant as an expression of religious superiority or "dominance," but rather as a simple reminder about the "reason for the season."

"Jesus was Jewish," Williams said. "To me, Jesus is the messiah ... I thought I was being very positive."

Williams said some people thanked him for his remarks. "A couple of the rabbis walked up to me and said, 'Great comments, Mr. Williams.' "

Rabbi Noach Kosofsky, who attended the ceremony, was asked Tuesday night for his reaction to Williams' statement. "I'll get back to you," he said.

MassLive / The Republican also reached out to Sarno to see if he had any thoughts on the "reason for the season" line. "Williams would have to clarify," said Jim Leydon, the mayor's director of communications.

The highlight of Tuesday afternoon's ceremony was the lighting of the menorah, the candelabrum used to celebrate two important miracles to the Jewish people. Neither miracle had anything to do with Jesus.

The Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians in ancient times.