Final answer:
False. The belief that sheep and other animals were present at Jesus's birth is not stated in the Bible, but a product of later Christian tradition and iconography.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Bible says sheep and other barn animals were present at Jesus's birth is false. The New Testament does not specifically mention animals being present at the nativity. Although traditional nativity scenes often include animals, this detail comes from later Christian iconography and tradition rather than biblical texts. This tradition may stem from the practice of symbolically representing aspects of Christ’s life and teachings through art and allegory, as was common in early Christian history.
For instance, historical figures such as Bede have contributed symbolisms to the biblical narrative, assigning animals to represent different aspects of Christ's life and mission; however, these do not pertain directly to the nativity story. Likewise, the representation of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is a symbolic motif that draws from both Old and New Testament themes, as well as classical art, further illustrating that animals have long played a symbolic role in Christian art and teachings rather than being specific to the nativity account.