To this:

It is clear from the history of America’s beginnings that our enlightened founders wanted to keep religion and government separate to protect both from each other, so that government could be of, by and for all people regardless of their creeds – if any – and so that religion could flourish free from government meddling.

A netfriend responded:

They wanted to avoid the situation found back at home where the State imposes an official Church and makes the citizenry pay for its upkeep. They also wanted to protect the citizenry — government officials and workers included — from the predations of government, should that government decide to limit the free practice of religion by the citizenry.

What you were actually seeing in front of your city hall was *NOT* a violation of the non-existent separation of Church and State, was *NOT* the establishment of an official religion, but in fact was the free exercise of American citizens to celebrate one of their religious holidays by placing a manger in a public place.