What's not surprising is a liberal Democrat potentially mocking Jesus and Christians:

MCDERMOTT: This is Christmas-time. We talk about Good Samaritans, the poor, the little baby Jesus in the cradle and all this stuff. And then we say to the unemployed we won't give you a check to feed your family.  That's simply wrong.

What is surprising (and refreshing) is to see liberal commentator Chris Matthews (who has mocked Creationists and "fundamentalist" Christian in the past like it's his job) to call him out for it:

CHRIS MATTHEWS: OK, well Christmas isn't just "that stuff," by the way, just to correct you from my point of view. I don't know what yours is, congressman, but I wouldn't call Christmas just "that stuff."  It happens to be my favorite day of the year for every possible reason, including religion.

Well done, Chris.  And as for Mr. McDermott, if we simply remember his past, this shouldn't be surprising at all.