In the early Church to become a Christian meant putting your life on the line. No, the great witness of those Christians made the Church grow. Martyrdom today seems a bit far-fetched to many people. Not really when you consider that our present age has had more martyrs than any other. Even now being ridiculed and scorned for living the truths of the Faith can be a small martyrdom.
Countries can change and become anti-Catholic almost overnight.
It's happened before - it can happen again. Pray to those Christmas martyrs St. Stephen, St. John, the Holy Innocents and St. Thomas a Becket for help in being a strong and courageous witness for Christ. Let us pray for an increase in the virtue of fortitude. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that the highest expression of this virtue is martyrdom. Let us pray we'll be as brave.