My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.

THE STORY

A person on space patrol is waiting for a replacement so she can go home for Christmas.

WHAT I LIKED

I liked how Elena's problem was subtly hinted at. It made the reader use their imagination.

POV NARRATION/TENSE

This is told in the third person limited by Elena. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.

DIALOGUE

The narrator uses dialogue to record a Christmas message to her grandparents.

DESCRIPTIONS

There's enough to set the scenes, but this is something that could be expanded on. I might touch on the five senses. Smell would be a good one. What did Christmas smell like on Earth? In the space vehicle? How does smell/lack of smell effect Elena and the message she records.

SETTING

TIME: in the future
PLACE: space

This is something that is clarified for the reader.

CHARACTERS

Elena

There's enough here to understand her motivations. Christmas without loved ones is always lonely.

MECHANICS

I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. Good use of WDC ML making the story easy to read.

PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS

Suggestion as mentioned above. The opening engages the reader. Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the Bard's Hall contest.