how do i make light gleam out of something?

how do i make light gleam out of something? (Like a flash light or car light.) :confused:

Do you mean something like volumetric lighting
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:Manual/Lighting/Volumetric_Lights
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:Manual/Lighting/Lamps/Spot/Halos#Spot_Volumetric_Effects