Beginning of the Creation

Firstborn of all creation
[13] He [that is, God the Father] rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins. He [that is, Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; [16] because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him. [17] Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist, [18] and he is the head of the body, the congregation. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might become the one who is first in all things; [19] because God was pleased to have all fullness to dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all other things by making peace through the blood he shed on the torture stake, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens. - Colossians 1:15-20

Before the founding of the world
Father [that is, Jehovah], I want those whom you have given me to be with me where I am, in order that they may look upon my glory that you have given me, because you loved me [that is, the Christ] before the founding of the world. - John 17:24

Why did God create us?
God [that is, Jehovah] is complete and self-contained, lacking nothing that someone else might supply. God is love (1 John 4:8) and with love he was naturally moved to share the joys of life with intelligent creatures who could also appreciate such a gift. “The beginning of the creation by God” was his only-begotten beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-15). We love, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).