By him were all things created...

Colossians 1:15-17:

ὅς ἐστιν εἰκὼν τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ἀοράτου,
who is the image of God invisible
πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως,
firstborn of all establishment
ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐκτίσθη τὰ πάντα
for in him established all
ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς
in the heavens and upon the earth
τὰ ὁρατὰ καὶ τὰ ἀόρατα, εἴτε θρόνοι εἴτε κυριότητες εἴτε ἀρχαὶ εἴτε ἐξουσίαι
the visible and the invisible whether thrones or lordship or highest authority (or the ability to make power felt)
τὰ πάντα δι' αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται,
all by him and in him are founded (established)
καὶ αὐτός ἐστιν πρὸ πάντων καὶ nτὰ πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκεν.
and he is above all (authority) and all (authority) in him stands together. [( ) = mine]

I believe this is simply talking about how and where he established authority. Because he was born a man he was able to establish his authority in heaven and earth. Now all authority is his whether it is visible or invisible.

One other thing to consider about the Colossians verses. The word translated created or creatures is the word ktizō. The concept of the word can potentially mean the creation of the world, but it is better understood to mean a re-forming, shaping, or settling. It is the idea of a pioneer that goes into a wild land and establishes rule and livelihood; building cities, and establishing dominion over chaos.

I think this is much more accurate considering the specific list of things that were established in and by him such as thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. (kjv) It's not putting Jesus at the beginning of time in the process of the universal physical creation. (Though he may have been present) It is putting him in his ministry of establishing dominion in heaven, earth, and all things below the earth. It is talking about his reclamation of authority for the Father. To whom he will give all of this authority and dominion back. (1 Cor. 5:28)